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Khanya celebrates the 1000th Lab Milestone

The launch of the computer laboratory at Capricorn Primary in Vrygrond coincided with the celebration of the 1000th laboratory installed into schools across the Western Cape by the Khanya Project.

Capricorn Primary is a showcase of how technology is being integrated into curriculum delivery in the Western Cape and guests at the launch were awed by the dexterity and confidence with which learners are able to use the technology. 

Three venues had been set aside for whiteboard demonstrations – one featuring literacy, one numeracy and the other science.  While on hand if needed, educators were sidelined as learners took the stage, demonstrating their skilful use of the software and the learning that they have already achieved.  Educators at Capricorn Primary have gone from total technology ignorance to complete converts – they use their laptops for all lesson preparation, presentation and for administrative work.

Following the successful tour of the available technology, guests reconvened in the school hall where they were welcomed by Ron Swartz, Superintendent General of the Western Cape Education Department.

Director General for the National Education Department, Duncan Hindle, complimented Khanya on the achievement of this milestone and on being “a success story to be replicated”.  “Khanya has become a model of success and a benchmark for all provinces in South Africa”, Mr Hindle said, adding that one “… cannot, and will not ignore the support, advice and best practices received from the Khanya Project.”

The launch also marked the official launch of “The Khanya Story”, the story of the Khanya Project in the form of the longest poem, and all guests received a copy of this publication. 

The Khanya Project’s Programme Manager, Kobus van Wyk, announced the winner of the Cobus Bezuidenhout Award.  The award commemorates the work and passion of a former member of the Khanya team and was awarded to Anna-Maree Victor, a Khanya Facilitator in the Eden/South Cape District.

The Khanya Project is not simply about installing laboratories, however, and the Project measures its success not only by the number of laboratories installed but by the number of teachers who use technology to plan lessons, to communicate with other teachers and share ideas, to get more exciting resources to present to their learners and to give learners the opportunity to look for information and do problem solving and information management on a daily basis.  The enthusiasm for technology evidenced in educators and learners at Capricorn Primary suggests a resounding success.