Public-private partnership invests over R14 million in four Limpopo schools

Over the last six years the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), in partnership with the Adopt-a-School (AAS) Foundation, has invested over R102 million towards uplifting and supporting 30 schools throughout South Africa. Today, at Phagamang Secondary School, those involved celebrated the progress of the four adopted schools in Limpopo, where they have invested over R14 million in upgrading facilities at these schools.
AAS implements a unique, holistic approach when supporting schools, called the Whole School Development (WSD) model. This mechanism aims to improve and uplift the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in adopted schools. WSD ensures that schools have the necessary management and community leadership to support an environment conducive to excellence in both teaching and learning.
The four Limpopo schools supported by the partnership are Phagamang Secondary School, Glen Cowie High School near Polokwane, Tshivhase Secondary School and Vhufuli Primary School in Vhembe District near Thohoyandou. All four schools received significant infrastructural support and training. “The IDC’s main priority in CSI investment lies in education. Through our partnership with Adopt-a-School, we have been able to improve the quality of education in selected schools and today we celebrate the success of our investment”” says Tebogo Molefe, Head of CSI at the IDC. We are thrilled with the progress made at all the secondary schools we have invested in over the past five years,” added Molefe
“The matric pass rate at the all the schools we support has improved and that is a great example of our Whole School Development Model at work,” said Steven Lebere, Executive Director at Adopt-a-School
“The success we have enjoyed with our adopted schools in the Limpopo Province is a great example of the effectiveness of Adopt-a-School’s WSD model and the power of public-private partnerships,” said Lebere. “We call upon business leaders to partner with us to support more schools in rural parts of limpopo and the rest of the country.
“Our partnership with the IDC in Limpopo has been exceptionally successful. Since 2012 we have constructed 16 new classrooms, a science lab, an administration facility, an ablution facility, renovated four structures – a science lab and three classrooms; and converted three classrooms into ICT centres,” added Lebere.
The new ICT centre at Phagamang Secondary school was implemented in partnership with Wipro Technologies, who made a significant contribution of software and hardware for the facilities. Wipro has been an integral part of this partnership, having partnered with the IDC and AAS on other similar projects around the country“This project forms part of Wipro’s skills development initiative, which seeks to invest in the education and upskilling of South Africa’s IT sector. We also believe that IT education needs to start at grassroots level to maximise its effect, enabling the growth of the country’s digital economy” Ravi Yuvraj Panthi, Head of Human Resources – Africa at Wipro.
“We have also made a significant investment in support programmes for both learners and educators, as well as health services including, amongst others, eyesight testing and sanitation packs,” he continued.
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Our model has seen a lot of positive impact not only in the schools but also in the communities we work in. Your contribution can make a lasting difference to the lives of hundreds of children,” added Lebere.
“We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Adopt-a-School and strengthening our relationship with the Limpopo government, resulting in further progress towards uplifting young South Africans,” said Molefe.