Acer backs Bucs learning centre

The Orlando Pirates Learning Centre has been launched with the support of Acer Africa, in a project designed to assist and improve the numeracy and literacy skills of the children living in the Orlando township.

Being a fundamental part of the development in their community, Orlando Pirates have long recognised the importance of investing in the future of children in South Africa.

‚”Orlando Pirates Football Club is among the oldest and most prestigious football clubs in South Africa if not Africa,” said Mr. Mohamed Enver Surty, Deputy Minister of Basic Education, at the launch. “”They have combined with Acer, a high tech IT company to establish a sophisticated and modern learning centre that will provide easy access to the learners and educators of the many schools in the Orlando and greater Soweto area. It is through such partnerships that we can make a difference in providing quality education to our learners. We applaud the Buccaneers for taking seriously the call to make education a societal issue.‚””

Orlando Pirates Football Club supported by Acer for Education will aim to assist the community in eliminating illiteracy and teach pupils to embrace the chance to learn. Together both parties aim to lead by example in uplifting the community of Soweto and endeavour to take this innovating concept on improving education by expanding learning centres across the country in the near future.

‚””Nelson Mandela called education the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world, and it is with this inspirational thought that Acer has decided on investing in the first of many Learning Centres to the children of Soweto‚””, said Damien Durrant Country Business Manager for Acer Africa. Acer has a global business unit which focuses solely on the education and the development thereof.

The Orlando Pirates Learning Centre will further aim to provide pupils with a supplementary understanding of their school curriculum from 2013 in the following subjects: Maths, Science and English. The Orlando Pirates Learning Centre has been fully equipped with top of the line Acer products as well as full internet access thus offering invaluable training on various technology hardware and software which will prove imperative when the scholars enter the work force one day.

Pirates, known as “”the Buccaneers”” or Bucs, for short, have set up the learning stadium at the legendary Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Pupils will be required to qualify through a system run between the Orlando Pirates Learning Centre and the surrounding schools.

About Orlando Pirates Learning Centre

The Learning Centre aims to work collaboratively with the Department of Education to promote community cohesion, education and lifelong learning. Working in partnership with schools from Soweto, Orlando Pirates will use the power of football to excite and inspire the children from the community.

Located in the premises of Orlando Stadium, the Learning Centre will be open six days a week, catering for pupils between the ages of 8 and 16 years.

The Learning Centre, with the assistance of Acer for Education aims:

· To build successful relationships with schools and the various local communities to develop and deliver exciting education initiatives which will help inspire the pupils to achieve their learning goals.

· Develop independent, motivated and confident pupils who are able to access all potential learning opportunities.

· Maintain a learning environment which is both secure and exciting, encouraging high levels of pupil participation and expectations of achievement.

· Raise standards in literacy and numeracy in line with the national curriculum.

Orlando Pirates first team players will play an integral role in the Learning Centre motivating and inspiring the pupils through various educational activities.

Acer Africa has equipped the learning centre with the following products:

· Acer All-in-One Desktop

· Acer Interactive Projector

· Acer Interactive Whiteboard

· Acer Class Room Manager Software

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