Pionierspark Primary gets a digital boost

Hands-on access to technology
The donation will help the school expand its computer and science laboratories.
Marina Antonio
  • 6 Days Ago

Pionierspark Primary School is set to strengthen its computer and science laboratories after receiving a donation of pre-owned desktop computers, monitors and Cisco networking equipment from Capricorn Group and its subsidiary, Bank Windhoek.

The equipment was handed over at the school last Tuesday, following a written request submitted late in July.

Speaking at the handover, Hoster Simasiku, deputy director in the Directorate of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, praised the long-standing partnership between the directorate and Capricorn Group and encouraged businesses to continue supporting schools.

“Don’t stop here. You didn’t only donate, but you empowered the teachers,” Simasiku said.

He said Namibia’s digital skills gap highlighted the need for more practical technology training in schools.

“If you look at the national curriculum, the majority of the teachers’ computer literacy is at level 1 with our qualifications, and we are striving to be at level 2. If you empower teachers to empower the children, these children are fast learners and will soon be at level 3, the maximum level,” he said.

Simasiku acknowledged that information and communication technology (ICT) remains a weak area in the education sector. Many teachers, he said, still teach ICT largely in theory or use computers mainly for basic typing because they were not exposed to technology at a young age.

“The world has moved, and at this technical department, we are lacking,” he said.

He also praised the choice of Pionierspark Primary as the beneficiary, saying the school’s leadership had demonstrated a clear vision for its learners. You made the right and accurate choice, because I believe all teachers and children will benefit,” he said.

Representing Capricorn Group, Victoria Möller, manager for communication and stakeholder engagement, said the donation reflected the company’s purpose of being “Connectors of Positive Change”.

“A learner does not need the newest machine to learn. A learner needs a machine,” Möller said. “A learner needs to sit down, put their hands on a keyboard, and discover that the thing on the desk is not a mystery reserved for a select few. That first moment of confidence is what this equipment is for.”

Möller said the equipment was pre-owned and had been donated on an “as is” basis, meaning some of the units might require minor maintenance.

The school principal, Magdalena Shaningwa, thanked Capricorn Group and Bank Windhoek for the contribution and said the equipment would be integrated into the expanded laboratories to support both teachers and learners.