MAJOR banks, automotive and industrial businesses, technology partners, and community organisations have heeded the call to support education as the catalyst for community development, as they rallied to the aid of Newell High School in Gqeberha recently.
Newell, one of the longest-standing schools in New Brighton, is one of the latest beneficiaries of Odin Education, an ed-tech ecosystem into which learners are enrolled for the academic year. The ecosystem includes hardware, e-learning resources and platforms, 24/7 support and connectivity.
These secure devices, using a software platform developed by a local tech company, Jendamark, are locked for educational purposes only and do not provide access to social media platforms, but will expose learners to the latest AI technology, such as ChatGPT. A school liaison will also be placed at the school to support teachers and drive the adoption of technology in the classroom.
Automotive component supplier, Forvia-Faurecia, has selected Odin Education as one of its sustainability projects, and is funding the expansion of this initiative at the school, solidifying education as one of the company’s key focus areas.
Speaking at the handover event, Newell principal, Zama Makapati, said that he was excited that Newell learners would be leading from the front when it came to educational technology.
“Gone are the days when companies would come to a school, just dump computer equipment, and leave. Here we are so glad that Odin is there, week in and week out. The school liaison will be there, helping these learners so that we can get the maximum benefit out of these ed-tech tablets.”
To date, more than 3 150 learners in six provinces across South Africa have benefited from the initiative.
Forvia-Faurecia joins several corporates who are already collaborating to support the school through the Odin Education initiative, including Volkswagen South Africa, Standard Bank, financial services software company Iress, and thermal engineering solutions provider, IWC.
“We are proud, grateful and humbled to have partners like Forvia, Volkswagen and Standard Bank engaged in our day-to-day business and simultaneously working together for a brighter future for our children,” said Jendamark managing director, Quinton Uren.
Speaking to the learners, Odin Education’s business development head, Dean Gurney, urged them to make the most of the opportunity and use the resources they had been given to achieve their dreams.
“We are building a better future for South Africa, and we will continue to invest in our most precious asset. And from here on out, it is about one learner, one class, one grade, one school at a time. So, we hope to continue that journey. Let’s make a difference together.”
Echoing his sentiments was Nceba Faku, chairman of the New Brighton Vibes Revival, a committee of community leaders born and raised in New Brighton who are working to address social challenges, such as crime and poverty, and uplift the community.
Faku said Jendamark and its partners were among the private sector companies “seeking to intervene in the situation in our townships to make sure that, in spite of their situation, we are able to be part of the race of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Addressing the learners, he said, “You are the generation that we put our hopes on. We do this with Jendamark, with the hope that you will be that generation that will develop scientific innovations for Africa, to rescue Africa from all social and natural ills that are taking place. We can’t do that if we don’t educate the younger generation and keep up with modern technology and what is to come. And it all starts with this device.”
– ISSUED BY GOOD NEWS LAB ON BEHALF OF ODIN EDUCATION
