Subscribe

Western Cape school gets computer lab

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 31 Jul 2015
The computer lab at Rusthof Secondary School is equipped with laptops, an interactive white board and computer server.
The computer lab at Rusthof Secondary School is equipped with laptops, an interactive white board and computer server.

Adapt IT has taken a page out of the Gauteng Department of Education's book and opened a knowledge centre at Rusthof Secondary School in the Western Cape.

The computer lab is equipped with 26 workstations, an interactive white board and a computer server. It will serve 1 129 learners and 39 educators at the school, says Adapt IT.

Other services donated include an upgrade to the power supply, network points, a printer, smart board, air-conditioning, furniture and fit-out upgrade.

In terms of training teachers to assist learners to use the computer lab facilities, Adapt IT says the school already has a qualified IT educator and the Western Cape Department of Education (WCDE) has committed to provide any additional training the school requires.

As part of the service level agreement with the IT installer, two hours a month will be spent with the teacher to answer any questions, and maintain the laptops, says the company.

Sbu Shabalala, Adapt IT CEO, says: "Adapt IT has invested in these knowledge centres in order to develop the ICT skills of students and educators in our country. It is imperative that we, as members of the ICT industry, keep supporting the growth and development of ICT skills among the youth."

Adapt IT says the lab is fast-tracking the WCDE's vision to equip all schools with fully-fitted IT labs.

According to the department's senior education specialist for e-learning, Jaco Joseph, the department is in the process of implementing its e-vision across the province.

"Projects from partners such as Adapt IT accelerate this process of implementation at the schools it serves.

"The parents, teachers and learners are so appreciative of the Adapt IT contribution to the school. They believe the new facility will empower the learners to understand and interact with the whole world through the Internet access and furthermore that the technology will enable learners to take responsibility for their own learning processes," says Joseph.

Security measures

Adapt IT says it has set up various security measures to curb any incidents of theft at the computer lab.

According to the firm, the knowledge centre has a security gate, burglar bars and an alarm system.

"Thanks to a docking station donated by the WCDE, the laptops will be safely stored away in the server room at night, which is equipped with a safe door. The laptops are also fitted with steel cables and coded locks for extra protection," says Adapt IT.

Share