Computer Lab Launch sees Learners Tapping into their Skills – Atlantic Sun, 22 May 2008

Sellecca Lang

Learners at St Paul’s Primary in Schoteskloof are tapping into their artistic and computer skills.  The school’s Khanya computer lab was launched on Saturday May 17.

In a separate event, the artworks of four learners – Faadiel van der Schyff, Teighlor Hawes, Thando Luhabe and Lunga Pohlwana – made the top 50 in South Africa.

Although learner Waahid Gabriels’s three-dimensional entry did not meet the requirements, it will still be displayed along with the top 50 at the exhibition in Johannesburg in May.

Grade 6 and 7 learners were required to enter between one and five works for the Visa Olympics of the Imagination international competition in March.

Children all over the world are invited to enter.

Learners had to depict their ideas on the theme “One World, One Dream” which most interpreted as peace and happiness.

Learner Thando Luhabe said, “There are people in the world fighting each other and it makes some people unhappy;  I drew a rocket going to space with all the bad things like guns and bombs – actually mostly weapons.”

Prior to entering, workshops were held by facilitators at the school to stimulate the learners’ artistic ideas.

Cape Town facilitator Tamsin Relly said, “The idea was to do exercises that will make them initiate ideas and go wild rather than prescribe what their drawings should look like.”

The top 50 entrants each received a bank account with R300.

The winner from Khayelitsha received a trip for two to go to the Beijing Olympics.

The school staff is also overwhelmed with the new computer lab opened at the weekend.

Among those who attended the launch were education department officials, ex-principals, teachers, learners and the community.

The 26 new computers and launch were sponsored by PetroSA and Khanya lab SA.

School principal, Yeye Mgudlwa, said she is very proud of the learners’ achievements as well as the new lab.

The school had one lab but could not accommodate all 740 learners.

She said, “I believe this is a new beginning.  This is an additional opening of educational doors.  We are very excited.”