PwC provides underprivileged school with a fully equipped Digital Laboratory

Thabani Jali, Executive Chairperson PwC says, “In response to the maths and science skills shortage in the country, PwC adopted the Mafori Mphahlele Secondary School in Soweto and deployed technology infrastructure to improve teaching and learning processes.”

Supporting the delivery of quality education will ensure that this initiative addresses some of the key teaching and learning challenges facing the learners and contribute to local empowerment. Mafori Mphahlele Secondary School was selected with the support of the Gauteng Department of Education and received 20 computers, a teacher laptop and two servers all fully equipped with learning software.

In addition PwC has donated 50 USB memory sticks and furniture for the school, including desks, chairs, cabinet, screens, white boards and even a wheel chair.

Mr Mayisela, principal at the School says, PwC has always shown support to our school and we are grateful for the firm’s assistance. Many of the learners come from extreme poverty and improving the quality of education provides them with a unique opportunity to improve their lives through education.”

PwC recognises that technology hardware alone will not enhance academic performance and included the Mindset Network programme on this project providing educational content to compliment the hardware and ultimately provide a higher level of educational support to the learners.

Jali concludes, “We chose Mindset Network because it provides state-of-the-art information and communications technology (ICT) training. The training material is available in video, print and computer based multimedia formats.”

This technology is not only expected to improve the standard of education but will also facilitate the transformation of the learning environment. It will allow pupils to learn interactively, encourage teachers to move away from the traditional chalk and talk approach and give everyone access to curriculum materials, counteracting textbook shortages.