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Pay@ Pays It Forward With Computer Lab Donation To Primary School

Digital literacy is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity.

In today’s fast-evolving world, the ability to navigate digital landscapes is crucial for learning, personal development, and securing future employment. Recognising this, Pay@, a leading South African payment aggregator, has co-funded a fully equipped computer lab at Marvin Park Primary School in Macassar, Western Cape. This initiative is part of Pay@’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting digital literacy among South Africa’s youth.

Overcoming Africa’s digital divide is crucial as the world becomes more interconnected and tech-driven. However, as digital transformation progresses, the gap between those with access to digital tools and those without continues to widen. One primary barrier is internet access—Africa has the lowest internet penetration globally, with only 35% – 40% of sub-Saharan Africans being “meaningfully online,” meaning they actively use the internet for essential activities like financial transactions and education.

Another significant hurdle is access to internet-enabled devices; only 36% of South Africans own a smartphone or computer (Source: Internet World Stats). Without these tools, many students are cut off from valuable digital resources like interactive course materials and high-quality educational content. As digital transformation becomes a priority for the South African government, addressing this digital divide is critical to preparing the next generation for success.

Education and technology go hand-in-hand

With a commitment to innovative technology and a passion for digital literacy, Pay@ understands the power of technology-based education. Among many impactful initiatives uplifting communities through digitisation, the South African Medical & Education Foundation (SAME) stood out as a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) partner.

The SAME Foundation has completed over 120 high-impact community development projects that have positively influenced millions of South Africans in poverty-stricken areas. Specifically chosen where there are no government budgets for improvement, these communities would not have received healthcare and educational support without the Foundation.

For their education-focused projects, the SAME Foundation collaborates with the Department of Basic Education to identify schools most in need. Once selected, they provide equipment and infrastructure to help schools deliver quality education, enabling children in underprivileged communities to reach their full potential.

Rewarding a strive for educational excellence

One such school is Marvin Park Primary School, who has consistently achieved top academic performance over the last couple of years. For instance, in 2020, the Grade 7 NCS results showed a 97% pass rate.

To sustain and improve these results, there is a need for the school to incorporate more technological resources into teaching. Considering South Africa’s low ranking in Mathematics and Science education, there has been a strategic focus on investing in Science, Mathematics, and Technology.

With funds from Pay@’s 2023/2024 Socio-Economic Development program, a revitalisation project was launched to establish a computer lab that can accommodate 40 learners at a time. The lab is equipped with the necessary technology, equipment, and resources per syllabus, and teachers have been trained to manage the facility effectively.

As September welcomed in a new season, known as a time for new beginnings, an opening ceremony was held to celebrate the school’s brand-new computer lab.

Marvin Park Primary Schools’ Acting principal Mrs Kuys, as well as educators, learners, and the broader school community, expressed the importance and necessity of quality education and support tools for a brighter future for learners. “This sponsorship is a tremendous blessing to us and gives the learners as well as educators the ability to pursuing excellence in learning and teaching.”

Pay@ is proud to support this impactful project in partnership with the SAME Foundation, which promises to benefit students and educators for many years to come. As a fintech company committed to using technology to enrich South African communities, we are excited to see the students of Marvin Park Primary School thrive—both as learners and as future business leaders.

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