Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will spend her Nelson Mandela Day in the Eastern Cape, where she will hand over mobile computer laboratories.
The Minister, in partnership with Armscor and the University of Fort Hare (UFH), will officiate at the handover ceremony of mobile computer laboratories to local schools.
Since the advent of democracy, the Department of Education has put a lot of effort into addressing challenges faced by students and teachers, particularly from low socioeconomic status and previously disadvantaged schools.
However, teaching and learning subjects such as Maths and Science remain a challenge in South Africa.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula said it is against this backdrop that Armscor embarked on a nationwide partnership with schools and institutions of higher learning to explore sustainable ways of assisting teachers and learners, mainly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
To further stimulate and maintain interest in learning STEM subjects, students were offered extra lessons every Saturday, as part of the learner intervention programme. A total of 280 learners from 30 schools around Bisho and Alice have thus far benefitted from the programme.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula said throughout his life, former President Nelson Mandela held education close to his heart, hence she was keeping up the legacy.
“Our hope is for every learner to have a solid education and we believe that such intervention programmes go a long way in empowering learners to reach their full potential,” said Minister Mapisa-Nqakula.
Observed annually, Nelson Mandela International Day celebrations are held worldwide, since its declaration in 2009 by the United Nations.
The day - which falls on the birthday of the late former President - is marked by 67 minutes of selfless good deeds to benefit the vulnerable and disadvantaged. – SAnews.gov.za
