THE DONATION OF 3,200 calculators and school bags by two major banks to poorly resourced schools in and around the province, will enhance the literacy and numeracy strategy of the Western Cape.

So says MEC for Education Cameron Dugmore, in reaction to the announcement that the employees of the banks Barclays and Absa, country-wide have each one donated a calculator and school bag in pursue of "the creation of prosperity and giving back, helping communities reach their full potential".

Last week, high schools in KwaZulu-Natal received a consignment of the equipment, and tomorrow (Tuesday 25 October 2005, 10h00 – 11h30) MEC Dugmore will be launching the Western Cape roll-out during a ceremony in Atlantis.

Absa says the state of mathematics and science education in South Africa is a point of concern to them. The Dinaledi programme established in 2002 was one of the programmes developed to address this problem.

The Dinaledi Focus Schools Project forms part of a National Strategy for Science, Mathematics and Technology to improve learner performance in these subjects, especially in schools serving disadvantaged communities. The WCED will soon announce details of an expansion of the programme.

Tomorrow’s event, which will start from 10h00 at the Hartebeeskraal Multi-Purpose Centre, will be attended by senior officials from the banks, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), learners, teachers and parents from all the schools in Atlantis, and various community and political leaders, including the Member of Parliament and Councillors.

Says MEC Dugmore: "The command of numeracy is a critical outcome of our curriculum. The use of a calculator is a fundamental life skill, given that every learner in SA will have to do either maths literacy or mathematics in grade 10 from 2006.

"A calculator is an important tool, not only for mathematics, but also for other subjects such as science, technology, geography, business studies and accountancy. This generous donation will greatly assist our learners in meeting the required outcomes, and represents a shining example of a partnership in action in building a learning home for all our children.

"Our province remain committed to doubling the numbers of mathematics learners, from 4,000 to 8,000 in 2009, and I’m convinced that through partnerships like this, and an increased focus on quality, we will achieve this.

"Socially responsible corporate citizens and the commitment of business can contribute enormously to sustainable social and economic development. The involvement of business in education, training and skills development creates opportunities for business to transfer skills and share ideas. These networks provide a platform for business and government to talk and strategise together.

"Unless education and training institutions work with the private and public sector, it will never fully meet the needs of those sectors. Without a close relationship, training institutions will not be able to produce graduates with the requisite skills needed to pursue a career, which in turn could contribute to the growth and expansion of such industry.

"The donation of these calculators therefore will enhance the learning experience and the quality of education in the classroom, which is an integral part of the answer to the President’s call for a six percent growth in the economy, to create more work and fight poverty."

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.