In order to create wider skills that can be passed on, over 150 teachers were trained on basic Internet skills last year through an initiative created by the Internet Service Providers` Association (ISPA). The course will be run again this year and Internet Solutions (IS) is providing funds to sponsor two teachers to take the "Beginners` Course".
"As members of ISPA as well as one of the country`s largest converged communication service providers, IS is pleased to actively support this initiative," says Kate Michalaro, Marketing Manager at IS.
"The "Train the Teachers" programme is having a very positive effect on producing Internet-savvy teachers and learners, and is a perfect fit for our corporate social investment goals. Teachers go back into their communities and transfer the skills learned on the course that have a direct effect on the development of Internet know-how in children of all ages. We know that effective Internet use broadens horizons and opens up the whole world to our youth and in turn creates aspirations for the future."
ISPA`s social development programme enabled 176 teachers to attend the week-long computer courses during 2004. In many cases, the teachers run after-hours classes for other teachers and students at their schools, as well as for their local communities, passing on the skills they have acquired.
Under the joint programme between UniForum and ISPA, at least 150 teachers will be trained this year. They would like to extend this initiative even further, by once again appealing to their members to sponsor additional teachers.
According to ISPA, if each of its members sponsors just one teacher, this will enable more than 60 additional teachers to be trained.
"We urge our fellow ISPA members to sponsor at least one additional teacher," says Michalaro. "The benefits are in the upliftment of youth and their communities."
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Internet Solutions (IS) has transformed its business model and become a leading converged communications service provider.
The business was founded on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates to conduct e-business. Over the past decade, IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of SA`s top businesses as clients.
During its 10-year life span, IS has evolved and grown its service offerings. Today, the company is the leading hosting service provider and security service provider in SA, as well as having significant market share in the virtual private network and application service provider space.
Internet Solutions has earned an impressive collection of accolades, including eight First National Bank "Most Admired" awards, two Financial Mail Best Company to Work For awards, a place in the Top Unlisted Company Awards and first place in the ISP category for ComputerWeek Strategist`s Best of Breed IT Awards, 2004.
The company partners with major players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle BT and AT&T and in 2002 was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider, the first and only company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade.
For more, visit us on www.is.co.za.
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