Paarl Girls’ High Asserts the Right of Girls to a Technology Future

The importance of equipping girls to take their place in a technology driven future was emphasised in the recent launch of the Khanya computer laboratory at Paarl Girls’ High. 

The intimate launch event on 1 June 2006 was also a showcase for the developments in information technology at the school.  In the laboratory guests were able to view both the school and Khanya’s websites and examples of the learners’ work were also open on the computers.

While Paarl Girls’ High had established their own computer laboratory some time ago, Mr Du Plessis, chairman of the School Governing Body, expressed his thanks to Khanya for their willingness to invest in the school and its girls.

The principal, Mrs R Colyn, added her thanks to those of Mr Du Plessis, explaining that their own laboratory had become over-used and the new laboratory, open since February, is being used not only for IT subjects, but also for Life Orientation and German.  She went on to add that the girls doing German as a subject had been thrilled to establish relationships with girls in Germany through the Internet.  They plan on visiting this country on a school tour in June and this prior contact will ensure that they are not meeting total strangers.

Paarl Girls’ High has a great passion for information technology and they are already looking towards upgrading their older laboratory and the music department is investigating software suitable for curriculum delivery in their subject.

Trevor Arendse, Khanya Implementation Manager on this school’s project, urged the school to use the technology effectively to empower people, particularly girls who should be encouraged not to hold back but to seek entry into the same IT careers as men.