For 35 years, Sparrow Schools has provided affordable, quality education to children and youth facing barriers to learning or coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. During this time, they’ve received prestigious awards, including recognition from South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, and have equipped thousands of young South Africans with the tools to build better futures. Now, in a move set to empower students who may have never had access before, Sparrow Schools and Vuma are coming together to ensure the power of connectivity reaches more lives than ever before.

Renata Noble, CSI Manager at Sparrow Schools, shares, “I am incredibly proud to be able to launch our IT and Robotics programme. It is a stunning idea that will open up a world of future opportunities for our students by teaching skills in robotics and coding.”

“We have been fortunate to have incredible partners over the years, which has allowed us to achieve amazing things, such as launching our robotics programme. But what keeps me up at night is the uncertainty—wondering if those partners will still be there in the long run. It’s difficult to fully realise the potential of a programme when you can’t be sure of the funding for the next year.”

Opening New Doors

Sparrow School: Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), robotics and coding

Thankfully, their partnership with Vuma, one of the country’s leading fibre network operators, brings some much-needed stability. This collaboration provides Sparrow Schools with a free, unlimited 1Gbps connection, part of Vuma’s commitment to enhancing connectivity for learners nationwide. Through this fibre connection Sparrow Schools has been able to initiate, maintain and grow their IT and robotics programme, bringing access to those who never had it before.

Taylor Kwong, Vuma’s Head of Marketing, explains, “This partnership is emblematic of how access to infrastructure and modern technology can unlock new opportunities in places where they were previously inaccessible. We are at the cusp of a new world and it’s important that we create these kinds of collaborations so that everyone can enjoy the benefits and opportunities that come with of technology. This partnership furthers that mission.”

Empowering Students Through Innovation

Sparrow Schools’ robotics and coding programme, designed with the future in mind, gives learners hands-on experience in the technologies shaping tomorrow’s industries. Through a blend of interactive platforms, students explore new technologies in an environment that is both nurturing and fun.

“Programmes like these are the reason everyone at these schools loves their job,” says Noble. “Whether it’s robotics or our retail training, we’re not just teaching skills; we’re giving our learners a real chance to succeed.”

However, Noble is quick to point out the ongoing need for continuous funding. “We create truly groundbreaking programmes, and only being able to run them for a limited time isn’t just disappointing—it robs our students of the chance to make the most of our partners’ generosity and change their lives for the better.”

Sparrow Schools remains committed to its mission and students are welcome to enrol all year round. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit their website today.

GUGU LOURIE: SA’s education system must create digital economy insiders

The government should make it attractive for companies to invest in transforming our schools

BL Premium

01 December 2022 – 05:00

by GUGU LOURIE

Yesterday I was reminded of the famous line by American author Zig Ziglar who wrote: “You were born to win, but to be a winner you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”

The reason I remembered the line was an email I received informing me that my son, Gareth, had been accepted for Grade 8 at the high school that he had chosen.

In the email, the school promises to nurture Gareth to reach his full potential.

I am thrilled by the high school’s promise that when Gareth graduates in five years, he will have fluid innovation skills that will help him thrive in the changing digital economy.

Initially, I was excited, but later I had mixed feelings.

I was happy my son’s pathway to progress was clear, but deep down I was concerned that other children from poorer neighbourhoods were being left behind.

It bothered me that my son was “born to win” and his less fortunate cousins, whom he loves dearly and spends a lot of time with, were not.

This is so simply because Gareth’s cousins live in areas where schools do not have broadband access.

It dawned on me that my son was going to be designated as a “digital insider” benefiting from fibre broadband access at school while his cousins would remain “outsiders excluded from the new economy”.

As an insider, Gareth will be privileged enough to take advantage of the opportunities the digital economy presents.

In contrast, it will be impossible for his cousins to do so while they live in cramped, crowded conditions without broadband access.