Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, Microsoft Global Vice President of Education, Anthony Salcito recently opened a brand new exhibit at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. The exhibit will showcase the future of the classroom to local learners and teachers and will feature various gadgets and applications including devices from Pinnacle that will enable visitors to get hands on experience in the use of apps like Word, Excel, Skype and OneNote. The case for gamification in the classroom will also be made as a driver of curiosity, persistence, concentration, and student engagement through educational games such as Minecraft. “I have full faith in MicrosoftSA and Sci-Bono to foster greater interest in technology.” said Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga during the launch.
The sponsorship forms part of a global programme to invest more than R1 billion over the next three years in community programs to increase access to computer science education for all youth, especially for those from under-represented backgrounds, and build greater diversity into the tech talent pipeline. “At Microsoft we are committed to empowering this next generation of workers by building skills, providing access to technology, and giving young people tools to support their learning.” said Microsoft’s global Vice President of Education, Anthony Salcito.
According to the IDC’s Economic Impact of IT, Software and Microsoft in South Africa report, the IT sector will generate more than 77 200 new jobs over the next four years. “Microsoft plans on playing an active role to ensure that SA realises this statistic by developing skills and providing opportunities for young people from basic education through to starting their own businesses. This will be done through programmes such as Student to Business programme whereby we are partnering to create over 1500 jobs through internships and the AppFactory programme in which we are training interns to develop over 800 locally relevant apps. These initiatives will help us create a bridge to employment and financial independence,” adds Zoaib Hoosen, Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa.
The EduLab will be open to visitors for a year.
