By:Staff writer
Telecommunication company Paratus, together with Interactive Audio Visual Solutions, are in the process of establishing an e-learning trail through Africa.
This will be done by connecting schools and teachers in rural areas to the learning content they need to be equally equipped to excel in their exams and school rankings.
Paratus Zambia, which is participating in the Innovation Africa event this week, has revealed its ambitions to attract joint sponsors to make what the Paratus Group has achieved in Namibia a reality in Zambia.
Paratu and Interactive Audio Visual Solutions want to replicate the work that the Namibian NGO, EduVision has achieved in Namibia where many thousands of learners have benefited from receiving its online content for learners and teachers.
Since 2018, Paratus has been helping EduVision to connect numerous schools and over 10,000 learners directly. Indirectly, thousands of additional learners benefit from the learning materials received online. The Paratus Group in Namibia already pledged and is busy installing a total of 50 satellite connections as EduVision signs up more and more rural schools.
The Paratus Group has provided both satellite equipment and infrastructure, technical support, consulting and capital to help EduVision deliver e-learning to more rural schools throughout Namibia. EduVision provides remote and underserved schools with access to first-class teaching via digital interactive platforms.
“Without a stable and secure internet connection, this type of e-learning is simply not possible. Providing connectivity to schools in under-served areas is an important part of the Paratus promise to transform Africa through exceptional digital infrastructure and customer service,” said Barney Harmse, executive chairman of the Paratus Group .
The importance of such projects was particularly brought to light with the advent of Covid-19 when e-learning was a requirement amidst social distancing.
Tsumkwe Senior Secondary School, since being connected to the programme in 2018, boosted its school rankings due to the overall improvement of its students’ results. One student at the school received an A+ in Biology.
The school also managed to jump a massive 149 places, from number 183 in 2018 to number 34 in 2020 (incl. private schools), and increased its public school ranking from number 59 in 2019 to number 14 in 2020.
A learner from the Waterberg Junior Secondary School said, “Comparing the pace at which we were learning then and now, EduVision has not only accelerated the learning and teaching process but also improved our knowledge and understanding.”
Helping to advance education through connectivity is one of the Paratus Group’s key focus areas under its Paratus Social Investments initiative (PSI). For example, when Paratus has approval from municipalities to install fibre networks in Namibia, the company automatically lays fibre to any schools en route at their own cost, so that these schools and areas may take advantage of the Paratus high-quality connection infrastructure.