Vodacom has partnered with the Orlando Pirates Football Club to help integrate ICT into the Orlando Pirates Learning Centre. The partnership will provide Internet access for learners and teachers living in communities in and around Soweto.
The centre has partnered with Vodacom to add on to the already 61 ICT teacher centres established county wide, aimed at integrating ICT into the classroom and improving technology and Internet access to previously disadvantaged communities. The goal of the centre is to contribute to the transformation of teaching and learning through the use of technology.
As a long standing partner of Orlando Pirates, Vodacom has provided the following: Internet connectivity, capacity building, content, and CISCO training.
Vodacom chief officer: Corporate Affairs and chairman of the Vodacom Foundation, Maya Makanjee says: “This initiative focuses on teacher development, one of the most critical elements in the education value chain. We hope to increase the number of teachers who are well trained in integrating ICT into the curriculum. We also want to give learners the opportunity to interact with technology as part of their learning experience.
“The programme offers a model whereby South Africa can advance in the area of education through the effective use of communication technology.”
The Orlando Pirates Learning Centre, now supported by Vodacom, has been assisting and improving on the numeracy and literacy skills of children living in and around the Orlando area since October 2012.
For the remainder of the season, 60 learners from the Orlando Pirates learning centre will rotate as mascots for the Orlando Pirates home games.