SKA boost for education in the Karoo

	Budding scientists become engrossed in the innovative learning materials preloaded on the new laptops
	This kind of support for "feeder" schools in the local area around the SKA project is aimed at encouraging learners to pursue their studies in maths, science and technology at tertiary level and possibly join the SKA project in future
	The new community knowledge centre at the Bonteheuwel Library in Carnarvon gives the community access to computers, Internet and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn and communicate while they develop digital skills
	The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, delivers the keynote address at the launch of the e-Schools initiative
	The launch was well attended by members of the Carnarvon community

"The day it rained computers in the Karoo" read a headline in Die Burger on 20 November 2013.

This was the perception of several thousand members of the community of Carnarvon, the hometown of the Square Kilometre Array South Africa (SKA SA) in the Northern Cape, when two community initiatives were launched at an imbizo.

These initiatives, which will be providing new information, communications technology and learning resources to Carnarvon, made possible by donations and corporate social investments by SKA SA's industry partners, comprise a R2.5-million e-Schools initiative and a community knowledge centre.

"We are deeply grateful for and appreciative of the generous support we have received from the private sector. This support will enable the community to participate in the SKA initiative and will certainly bring about improvements in the lives of the local people. We look forward to seeing more and more learners benefit from this initiative and, in future, work on the SKA project itself as engineers, technicians and scientists," Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom said in his keynote address at the launch of the SKA SA e-Schools initiative.

The e-Schools initiative delivered ClassMate laptops and will provide connectivity and training to five schools near the SKA SA project. The laptops were preloaded with innovative learning materials, lesson plans and tutorials focused on mathematics, physical science, life science and astronomy.

SKA SA said it was confident that this kind of support for "feeder" schools in the local area around the SKA project would help to interest students in pursuing maths, science and technology at tertiary level and possibly join the SKA project in future.

"Developing a sustainable educational ecosystem around the SKA project will not only benefit the community, schools, teachers and learners but, in the longer term, the SKA project as a workplace and South Africa as a nation," SKA SA site operations and infrastructure GM Tracy Cheetham explained.

The investment is also in line with the SKA SA's human-capital development programme's concept of creating a pipeline of skills required for the project in conjunction with the project's local social upliftment plan.

Donations

The following donations were made to this initiative:

• VSAT dishes to provide internet connectivity for four schools, donated by StratoSat (Nico Bekker Intermediate School; Van Wyksvlei Intermediate School, Carnarvon High School and Carnarvon Primary School)
• VSAT connectivity provided by the Department of Rural Development for Williston High School, and the recruitment and training of two community members as IT facilitators for each school through the Department of Rural Development's NARYSEC (National Rural Youth Service Corps) programme
• 350 ClassMate computers and five laptop computers for educators, as well as network cabling, wireless systems and servers, donated by Intel
• A science cart for Carnarvon High School, donated by Intel. (A science cart is a mobile teaching resource that combines conventional laboratory equipment with relevant ICT content. Each cart is fitted with a computer and digital projector and set up to help teachers deliver curriculum-supported science lessons.)
• Computer hardware for laptops, donated by Diesel Electric Services
• Teacher training and educational software for project management training, provided by Intel and Smartlabs
• Computer licenses and software, donated by StratoSat and Brink & Heath Civils (Pty) Ltd
• Six IBM Smart Kidz early learning units to the pre-school centres at Carnarvon Primary School; Rooi Miere Playgroup and Marcia Louw Playgroup, donated by IBM

New community knowledge centre

The new community knowledge centre at the Bonteheuwel Library in Carnarvon will give the community access to computers, Internet and other digital technologies that will enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate while they develop digital skills.

It has been made possible by the following donations:

• 19 computers, hardware, data projector and a printer from Cisco
• Optic fibre cable installation to the value of R75 000 from CBI Electric (Pty) Ltd
• Software, training and ongoing support and maintenance of the centre from Siyafunda CTC
• Furniture donated by Dimension Data
• 36 ClassMate computers from Intel
• Building security, electricity and water provided by Kareeberg Municipality
• Internet connectivity, security alarm and two IT facilitators and a centre manager from SKA SA

The e-Schools initiative and community knowledge centre add to earlier investments made in the local community, including a Cyberlab at Carnarvon High School, made possible by donations from The Universal Services Agency, Optic 1, Microsoft, Learnthings and SKA SA.

In addition, Brink & Heath Civils (Pty) Ltd has contributed R50 000 for the upgrading of the hot-water facilities at the Carnarvon hospital.

According to Sam Rametse, education officer at SKA SA, the establishment of the e-Schools initiative and knowledge centre opens up doors for the schools and the community to access new and relevant information. It also allows for an exchange of ideas and cultures between these communities and the rest of the world.