As children in South Africa settle into the new school term, Unicef and BT have begun the refurbishment of 27 schools in the coastal regions of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.
The project, part of the national child friendly school framework, is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Education of the Government of South Africa, and is part of the BT-Unicef partnership, announced in April 2007, which will bring education, technology and communications skills to disadvantaged children in these provinces.
BT's investment of R6.8 million over the next three years will improve the school facilities and help improve the teaching of the subject of ICT as part of the school curriculum. It will reach an estimated 18 700 children aged six to 18 in two of the most disadvantaged regions in South Africa.
The selection process was undertaken in conjunction with the department of education to determine schools that would benefit most from the BT-Unicef programme. Schools were selected following a review by Unicef and the Department of Education.
"We are delighted that this joint project is now taking off in schools and the children will soon start seeing benefits in their daily school lives," commented BT's Brian Armstrong, General Manager of BT Middle East and Africa. "This is the start of a long journey to bring better education to children that are most in need, thus improving their chances for success in their professional lives."
The BT-Unicef partnership in support of the Department of Education is focusing on schools in remote rural areas. For example, most schools in the area lack basic amenities such as water and windows. In addition, a number of schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces do not have access to electricity due to their remote location. Most rural schools have dilapidated timber flooring and no ceilings.
The work that will start includes repairing broken windows and roofs, installing gutters and drain pipes, repairing and building water and sanitation facilities, and constructing computer labs and sports facilities, as well as increasing safety and security at the beneficiary schools.
A lack of communications and technology facilities in schools in rural South Africa leave most students facing limited job opportunities upon graduating. BT's investment will also enable students to be trained in communication and technology skills that will help strengthen their future job prospects in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Once the construction work of the schools has been completed, BT will fund the training of teachers and principals in leadership, management and gender issues and provide teaching materials to all the schools. The project is expected to be completed by 2009.
For more information, please contact:
Grant Law
GGI
grant@ggisa.com
011 728-1363
082 413 4208
Since the initiative was launched in April 2007, Unicef, together with the school districts of the regions in South Africa, have been conducting assessments to identify the priority schools and consult with teachers and students on how to address the specific needs of schools. Based on these consultations, 27 schools were chosen to take part based on the number of children they have the capacity to reach.
Schools selected:
KwaZulu-Natal region:
KwaMashu District
1. Imbeka Secondary School
2. Ndabenhle Primary School
3. Senzokuhle Primary School
4. Engonweni Primary School
5. Nqabayezitha Primary School
6. Halalisa Primary School
7. Thubalethu Secondary School
Vryheid District
1. Kwamfundeni Primary
2. Nhlanhleni Secondary
3. Hlongomiya Primary
4. Baqulushini Secondary
5. H. Mantshinga Combined School
6. Dwarsrand Combined School
7. Mnyame Primary School
8. Tholakele Primary School
Eastern Cape region:
1. Nyangilizwe Secondary School (Libode)
2. Mqikela Secondary School (Lusikisiki)
3. Sophonia Secondary School (Mount Fletcher)
4. Tapuleng Junior School (Sterkspruit)
5. Masikhanyise Secondary School (Lady Frere)
6. Jumba Secondary School (Umtata)
7. Nolita Comprehensive School (Butterworth)
8. Matsa Secondary School (King Williams Town)
9. Helenvale Primary School (Port Elizabeth)
10. David Livingstone Primary School (Port Elizabeth)
11. Moses Mabhida School (East London)
12. Motherwell Secondary School
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BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and Internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group's revenue was lb19.514 million with profit before taxation of lb2.040 million.
British Telecommunications (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt.
Unicef
Unicef is the world's leading children's organisation. Unicef receives no funding from the UN and relies entirely on voluntary donations, forming fundraising partnerships with governments, companies and individuals.
For more information on Unicef's work in South Africa: www.unicef.org/southafrica