MTN is launching a summer school today to help pupils close knowledge gaps following a disrupted 2021 academic year.
The summer school, which forms part of the free MTN online school platform, will assist the pupils to close their knowledge gaps in preparation for the 2022 academic year.
The summer school which was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Education and National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) in October 2021, will be running from December 6 to January 14. The summer school provides access to curriculum-aligned content, support, tutors and revision for students in need across SA.
MTN SA’s executive for corporate affairs, Jacqui O’Sullivan, said they are proud to launch the school and encourage more children to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Education is the cornerstone upon which the future success of our nation will be built. We are proud to launch our summer school and I encourage as many children as possible to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity,” said O’Sullivan.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE TV) channel 122 on Openview will support the engagements happening on the platform, while reminders, revisions and a dedicated schedule with times will be available through social media channels and on the Tswelopele, DBE and NECT websites. Moreover, catchup in cases where pupils miss any lessons will be made available via the 2Enable YouTube Channel.
O’Sullivan said their intention was to enhance and improve outcomes as children get ready to return to school in 2022.
“Our intention is therefore to harness our network, expertise and digital capabilities to find innovative ways to bring the classroom to these learners. Our online school platform and summer school will work to both enhance access and improve outcomes as children prepare to return to school in 2022,” he said.
He added that key all lesson notes will be available for downloading via the MTN platform to assist learners prepare, and know what to expect from each lesson, daily.
“The MTN Online School is zero-rated for MTN customers, which means the online help can be used without using any of the learner’s own MTN data,” said O’Sullivan.
Moreover, he said support in the Foundation Phase (which builds on the department’s 2021 Tswelopele campaign) will be in both English and isiZulu and will cover maths, literacy skills and life skills. The intermediate and senior phase focuses on Grades 4, 6, 7, and 9 will focus on maths, natural sciences and EFAL and Grade 9 social sciences.
Revision support will also be provided to Grade 10 and 11 learners in four key subjects – maths, physical sciences, life sciences and accounting.
Moreover, the school is said to provide a comprehensive digital curriculum for Grades R-12 learners throughout the year, with additional features like video lessons, assessments and extra-tuition lessons for the learners.
O’Sullivan said the MTN online school and summer school were fit for purpose to take basic education in South Africa to the next level.
THE MERCURY