Toyota chips in for education

GOVERNMENT’S call on the private sector to help improve education took another step forward this week with Toyota South Africa adding N$100 000 to the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Etsip).

Last April, Harold Pupkewitz, Executive Chairman of the Pupkewitz Group, pledged N$250 000 through his company’s foundation and N$50 000 in his personal capacity to improve leadership and management in schools. He also undertook to mobilise suppliers to the Pupkewitz Group to do likewise.So far Holcim Namibia (N$100 000), Wispeco Namibia (N$20 000) and Neo Paints (N$10 000) have responded to the call.At a function in Windhoek yesterday, Pupkewitz introduced the programme his group is supporting.It involves reviewing the systems and competencies of pupils and staff at six junior secondary schools in the Khorixas area which have performed poorly in Grade 10 over years.Heading the programme is the General Manager of the Roessing Foundation, Len le Roux.He said once challenges were identified, interventions to address them were being put in place and a rollout to other schools is on the cards.He commended everyone involved – pupils, parents, teachers and the community – for the support they have shown and the Ministry of Education for being prepared to risk the new initiative.Toyota SA’s Vice President of public affairs, Harry Gazendam, said South Africa was also battling to up its education levels now that it was taking part in international trade.Toyota has invested N$7 billion in manufacturing vehicles stepping up production from 100 000 to 220 000 units.Schools in SA were not delivering youngsters ready for the employment market and Toyota was spending N$100 million on staff training.A number of other SA suppliers to Pupkewitz have also made donations to the Etsip programme.He also undertook to mobilise suppliers to the Pupkewitz Group to do likewise.So far Holcim Namibia (N$100 000), Wispeco Namibia (N$20 000) and Neo Paints (N$10 000) have responded to the call.At a function in Windhoek yesterday, Pupkewitz introduced the programme his group is supporting.It involves reviewing the systems and competencies of pupils and staff at six junior secondary schools in the Khorixas area which have performed poorly in Grade 10 over years.Heading the programme is the General Manager of the Roessing Foundation, Len le Roux.He said once challenges were identified, interventions to address them were being put in place and a rollout to other schools is on the cards.He commended everyone involved – pupils, parents, teachers and the community – for the support they have shown and the Ministry of Education for being prepared to risk the new initiative.Toyota SA’s Vice President of public affairs, Harry Gazendam, said South Africa was also battling to up its education levels now that it was taking part in international trade.Toyota has invested N$7 billion in manufacturing vehicles stepping up production from 100 000 to 220 000 units.Schools in SA were not delivering youngsters ready for the employment market and Toyota was spending N$100 million on staff training.A number of other SA suppliers to Pupkewitz have also made donations to the Etsip programme.