While technology may have been an ideal for Langebaan Primary, their dire financial situation dictated that it was unlikely that they were to participate in this world and the digital divide seemed only to widen between them and learners at other more affluent schools. Their inclusion in the Khanya Project and a generous donation by a local computer company has resulted in the establishment of a computer laboratory and a change in the face of education at Langebaan Primary.
Situated in the quiet West Coast fishing village of Langebaan, Langebaan Primary serves a community very much dependent on nature and the cycle of the seasons. The majority of the parent community are employed in the fishing industry and with the depletion of the fishing grounds around our coast and new regulations controlling the industry unemployment is severe.
Training with their Khanya facilitator has gone exceptionally well with staff enthused and as delighted as children on Christmas morning with the discoveries they make about the value that the technology can add to their classrooms as well as about their own ability to learn new ‘tricks’. With new skills under their belt, educators at Langebaan Primary are convinced that the technology is set to make a huge difference to mathematics and language results. They are already developing their own lessons and activities using the technology and the wealth of resources now available to them.
With the 25 donated computers, Khanya’s project management of the laboratory and installation of a server, and a basket of appropriate educational software Langebaan Primary has joined the technological age and learners and educators alike are thrilled at the difference they are already experiencing in the educational process.
