THE FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust on Tuesday donated N$211 680 to the recently inaugurated First National Bank Edulution Centre at St Barnabas Primary School in Windhoek.
Edulution, which is a digital learning company that runs after-school numeracy and literacy programmes in Zambia and now Namibia, was designed to support the public school system.
The centre uses an innovate mix of technology, analytics and local resources to improve numeracy, literacy and information technology skills.
Trust chairperson Clara Bohitile said at the inauguration on Tuesday at St Barnabas Primary School that since its establishment, the trust has supported various programmes which focus on educational and financial literacy.
“We believe that education in the broader sense, which includes early childhood development support to individual schools and tertiary facilities, remains one of the focus areas of the foundation,” she noted.
Bohitile added that she believes the partnership with Edulution will bring hope to parents and pupils in various communities, ensuring that they are introduced to the vast opportunities that modern economies provide.
“Through this donation, we hope you will continue to use your innovative mix of technology, analytics and local resources to improve numeracy, literacy, ICT skills, create jobs and deliver quality learning to all Namibian citizens,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Edulution, head of marketing and communications Mike Clarke said since its establishment in Namibia in March this year, the programme has been rolled out at nine different schools in Katutura, with St Barnabas Primary School being the most recent one.
Clarke added that the programme, which runs a foundational numeracy “catch-up” programme for primary-level pupils between Grades 4 and 6, has grown from its starting number of 665 pupils to 2 570 at the end of last month.
“In March, we logged 6 229 hours of learning, and for September, we logged 43 294 hours. That is testament to our growing impact,” he said.
Another indicator of the programme’s success was the improvement in the pupils’ test results between their first and most recent tests.
“We look at the change in percentages between these tests, and to date, we’re seeing improvements of between 5% and 18% across the various centres,” he continued.
The pupils enrolled in the Edulution programme were not taught by certified teachers, but by 30 Grade 12s, known as coaches.
“We are proud of the new bronze coaches, and it’s amazing to see these young women and men grow personally and professionally,” Clarke said.
The coaches have received training in technology, as well as child protection training from the education ministry.
The Edulution programme currently has two centres at the Hillside Primary School in Windhoek.
Their other centres are located at several schools in Windhoek, including Namutoni Primary School, Augeikhas Primary School, Havana Primary School, Fidel Castro Primary School, Mandume Primary School, Theo Katjimune Primary School, and now St Barnabas Primary School.
