Bytes Technology Group (Bytes) is assisting in bridging the digital divide in previously disadvantaged schools and communities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) through its corporate social investment project, involving multimedia centres at seven KZN schools.
Two of the state-of-the-art multimedia centres at Buhlebemfundo Secondary School in KwaDabeka and Trenance Manor Secondary School in Phoenix have been completed and have been officially handed over to the schools.
Skip Franzsen, Group HR Manager and Transformation Manager of Bytes, a group in the Altron stable, said at the handover ceremony: "We are committed to spearheading CSI (corporate social investment) projects focused on high-level computer education in schools. This project follows the success of two other fully-functional multimedia centres established by Bytes at Isikhumbuzo High School in Orange Farm in Gauteng and at Langa High School in the Western Cape."
Franzsen added that the seven schools in KZN were carefully selected to receive fully-functional multimedia centres. These include a primary and a high school in Tugela Ferry, and two primary schools and one high school in Newcastle. Installation of these multimedia centres will continue in 2007, once some structural repair and upgrading has been completed in the schools.
A total of R1 million has been spent on the project to date. At both Buhlebemfundo Secondary School and Trenance Manor Secondary School, the classrooms have been renovated and refurnished, and top-quality computers with Web site and Internet connectivity have been made available to the learners. Bytes People Solutions has trained teachers and students to ensure skills are transferred.
Franzsen said Bytes is furthermore committed to support the media centres at all the schools financially for two years, from infrastructure and technical support to paper supplies and security monitoring.
At Buhlebemfundo Secondary School, Altech UEC, an Altech company and part of the Altron Group, are ensuring learners have access to the vast wealth of knowledge and information available online and through learning channels by further installing a multimedia homework and resource centre. For the first time learners will have the means to do research and complete homework assignments.
Share
Bytes Technology Group is a R3.5 billion information technology company, which provides a broad range of products, technical skills and specialised services to support enterprise-wide IT infrastructure and telecommunications.
Altech UEC is a leading developer and supplier of award-winning hardware and software solutions for the international digital pay TV and interactive television industry; both form part of the Altron Group.
Editorial contacts