This project will provide online literacy programmes for primary school learners from the impoverished, Langa community. South Africa has an unequal education system and high drop-out rate which perpetuates the cycle of poverty. This mobile classroom, equipped with 40 laptops & 2 teaching stations will support 5 Langa schools in the Langa Township, offering programmes that will utilise the expertise & materials of leading school, Bishops Diocesan College.
South Africa has an unequal education system with many schools struggling with overcrowded classrooms, staff absenteeism and poor academic outcomes, leading to a high drop-out rate which perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Children learn in their mother tongue until Grade 4 and thereafter learning shifts to English, leaving them unable to understand the content and falling behind, resulting in as a staggering 40% drop-out rate of which17% of pupils site poor academic performance as their reason.
The Atlas Foundation and Cognizant, have donated a 42 seater bus, fitted with 40 laptops and 2 teaching stations to VUSA. In collaboration with leading boys school, Bishops Diocesan College, VUSA will be able to extend its impact in the Langa supporting the 5 primary schools with an English programme, as well as offering staff and parent training programmes, and increase support in the VUSA after-school programme (which currently offers rugby, outings, academic support and a hot meal).
With a greater understanding of the language they are expected to learn in, we expect up to 1000 children per year will fair better in all subjects creating greater self-esteem, enthusiasm towards learning, motivation and hope to change their circumstances. Due to the classroom being mobile, the Atlas Digibus will be able to introduce parent information programmes, staff training, coding and high school revision programmes - the possibilities are endless.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
