The initiative is designed to motivate learners to keep up with their schooling in the current difficult circumstances. Three South African schools – Ndzondelelo High School in Gqeberha, Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School, and Le Reng Secondary School in Ladybrand will receive tablets, food parcels, internet data, and other covid-19 relief items.
Thanks to the partnerships between a leading software and service provider, Amdocs, to the media and communications industry and Telkom Foundation, the autonomous social investment arm of South Africa’s 39% state-owned telecommunication provider, Telkom. The organizations collaborated to help learners in South Africa’s most disadvantaged communities where the covid-19 pandemic has added another layer of disruption to academic activities. The initiative aims at encouraging students to keep up with their education in the current circumstances which makes them behind academically.
Pikie Monaheng, CEO, Amdocs South Africa says while some students have been able to meet up with academic activities with online classes, while those in disadvantaged rural and urban communities do not have the required access to internet-enabled devices or the digital literacy to keep up with school task, and internet connectivity.
“This disparity in digital inclusion prompted Amdocs to partner with Telkom Foundation to provide connectivity, devices and skills to learners in two local communities.” The initiative comes at a time when things are tougher than ever for many South Africans. We wanted to promote digital inclusion because we believe remote or hybrid learning will continue for some time – in some instances becoming the norm – and we want to be part of efforts aimed at giving children and schools the tools they need to continue without interruption,” he adds.
Additionally, to promoting digital inclusion measures, Amdocs will provide humanitarian assistance to communities that are hard hit with basic supplies including food, and pay school fees for some children who cannot afford to do so.
Telkom Foundation will collaborate with Thlali Nthlajana Foundation and Zifundiseni ICT Foundation to ensure the identified schools get the assistance.
This is one among other learner and education support projects Telkom Foundation helps to facilitate in collaboration with the government, educational institutions, and private sector.
