MTN connects 15 schools in Mpumalanga

MTN SA Foundation has embarked on an integrated socio-economic development approach, in which education, arts and culture, health and entrepreneurship initiatives are being implemented in the Albert Luthuli local municipality to foster development among the communities.

As part of its commitment to investing in and empowering the communities in which it operates, MTN through its foundation unveiled its school-based development programmes at the Engabezweni High School in Mpumalanga province.

“Quality education is the surest and most sustainable way to break cycles of poverty and provide young people with a brighter future,” said Eunice Maluleke, Head of MTN SA Foundation, at the launch of the multimedia centre in Engabesweni High School, in Badplaas.

Interventions include providing schools with technology-based teaching and learning aids; enhancing the outreach of existing science centres; establishing interactive tele-teaching technology platforms; and developing the capacity and institutional infrastructure of schools.

“The education portfolio is the largest in the foundation and accounts for almost half of the company's spend in each community. Projects in this focus area are closely linked to MTN SA's core business and focus on using technology to improve the standard and quality of teaching and learning,” continued Eunice.

During 2009/2010, 15 schools were identified, renovated and set up as fully fledged media centres - this included 15 computer workstations, 300, 30 printers, 15 data projectors, 15 interactive white boards, 15 DSTV/dish and 45 data cards.

“The MTN SA Foundation's integrated development strategy seeks to deliver maximum benefit to selected cluster communities in the six provinces - with Mpumalanga being one of the beneficiaries. The MTN SA Foundation announcement is in line with its commitment to being a leader in connecting communities for self-reliance.

“Our education projects seek to support the Department of Education's priorities. State-of-the-art ICT centres provide learners in remote rural communities with access to the latest technology, and our outreach programme enhances the capacity of existing science centres so that they can reach more learners. The infrastructure and capacity built around schools is intended to benefit the entire community, the members of which all have access to the facilities at the schools,” concluded Eunice.