The Maths and Science Leadership Academy, a non-profit centre that offers after-school computer lessons to Grade 9 to Grade 12 pupils, received a donation of five all-in-one computers, valued at more than R100 000, from the Flamingo Casino in Kimberley.
THE MATHS and Science Leadership Academy (MSLA), a non-profit centre that offers after-school computer lessons to Grade 9 to Grade 12 pupils, received a donation of five all-in-one computers, valued at more than R100,000, from the Flamingo Casino in Kimberley.
The academy offers lessons to teachers, unemployed youth and residents who require their services.
The general manager of Flamingo Casino, Themba Marasha, said the donation will assist in unearthing a passion for maths and science among pupils in the city and the Province.
“Looking at media headlines about the low pass rate in maths and science in South Africa, as well as the low intake of these subjects to matric, especially in the Northern Cape, we feel this donation will help learners in this regard and also in a world moving more and more into the virtual realm,” said Marasha.
“Flamingo Casino is always pleased to invest in skills development for the future, and MLSA plays a critical role in addressing the inequality factor in the South African education system and provides quality education to those that need it.”
The managing director of MSLA, Anne Maclean, said the donation is an indication that the local casino is committed to the upliftment of the youth and residents of the city.
“The academy offers afternoon classes for approximately 320 underprivileged high school learners from 19 Kimberley schools. The mission of MLSA is to help improve maths and science subjects and prepare learners, with career guidance, for tertiary institutions,” explained Maclean.
“The five computers, which are valued at R102,878, will assist in the implementation of the certifications at the campus. MSLA plans to offer more certification opportunities to Kimberley’s school-going youth, unemployed youth, teachers and the local workforce in the near future.
“By supporting MSLA, Flamingo Casino has shown that it truly cares about youth skills development as a way of addressing the high rate of youth unemployment. It is one thing to have computers and data; it is another to make these resources count.
“Far too many schools have computer labs that are kept under lock and key, but through a partnership with Microsoft, MSLA has taken the first steps in becoming the flagship for smart education in the Northern Cape.”
