Business11.03.2014

Intel signs MOU with Department of Communications

Intel South Africa strongly believes that when young people are given access to 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, decision making etc. as part of a strong education foundation, they are then empowered and enabled and become key participants in solving a range of challenges faced by the country, continent and indeed the world. This belief has seen the company signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Communication (DOC) to augment its activities in local education programs and advocacy.

According to the MOU, Intel will provide Intel Teach and Intel Learn Program training without fees to the South African teachers selected by the DOC who will become master trainers. Master trainers will be responsible for the training of teachers in their respective schools. Intel will train two master trainers (teachers) per DOC selected school.

Teaching the teachers

The Intel Teach Program has been helping educators around the world integrate technology into classrooms, in order to engage learners in their studies and empower them with the critical skills they will require to succeed within the global economy.

To date Intel has invested over a $1 billion in education, with the Intel Teach Program having trained more than 10 million teachers in more than 70 countries. Within Africa, the Intel Teach Program has reached over 400 000 teachers in 12 countries and continues to grow.

Independent evaluation of the program revealed that 91% of participating teachers reported that their students were highly motivated to more actively engage in lessons. Additionally, 81% of participating teachers reported that their students’ projects showed more in-depth understanding than other comparable work.

“We view Intel Teach along with our many other education initiatives as crucial investments into the development of future innovators, thinkers, scientists, mathematicians, entrepreneurs and a range of other occupations/careers not yet thought of as the needs are still to be unearthed or tabled. This is highlighted in the MOU signed between Intel and DOC stating that we aim to enable a holistic education solution which helps ensure that learners are equipped with 21st century skills, including technology skills and the entrepreneurial skills they require to succeed,” says Videsha Proothveerajh, Country Manager at Intel SA.

A program to get students to love learning

The Intel Learn Program provides opportunities for young learners within developing countries to learn key skills needed for tomorrow’s success in the workplace. This program focuses on technology literacy, problem solving, teamwork and collaboration.

Intel Learn’s curriculum is delivered within an informal education environment the likes of community technology centers, or presented as an after-school program. The program has assisted more than 1.6 million young people globally develop the critical skills they require for their future success.

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