Engen fuels skills and knowledge

Thanks to Engen sponsorship, a total of 256 teachers are now capable of teaching technology after completing a basic course.

The course, steered by 'Technology for All' as the service providers, and monitored by the KZN Department of Education (DOE), has been running since 2001.

The course was introduced to equip teachers with skills in technology after the subject was introduced as part of the curriculum with teachers having little or no knowledge of how to go about teaching the subject.

The programme has grown from a group of 60 teachers taking the course in 2001 at the Refinery to 256 teachers in 2008.

Over the years a thousand teachers from the Umlazi, Naidooville, Pietermaritzburg, Stanger and Edgewood areas have been impacted by the course.

More teachers will be reached when the programme expands to more areas around the province. To mark their achievement, each teacher received a certificate and a tool box to use at their schools.

Engen CSI Manager, Khanyisa Balfour, says that Engen is proud to invest in professional development programmes of this nature as technology and commerce skills are important to Engen.

"To date Engen has spent R170 million on CSI projects, 60% of which is spent on education, science, maths and technology," says Khanyisa.

Rod Sherwood, Managing Director: Technology for All, says he is pleased with the programme as the course has achieved its goal of ensuring that teachers go to their schools skilled to teach technology.

Tutor Elizabeth Arnold says she was astounded to see teachers coming into the course with no knowledge of teaching technology and leaving fully equipped.

"It was like taking first steps all over again for the teachers and the enthusiasm they displayed was great," adds Elizabeth.

Student Isabelle Cassim, a teacher from a rural Pietermaritzburg school, bears testament to this.

"The support of our facilitator was magnificent. In the beginning it was difficult but now it's as easy as A, B, C," she says.

Dr Cassius Lubisi who is the Superintendent General of the KZN Department of Education (DOE) says that judging by the feedback he has had from teachers, he is confident that they have benefited from the course.

"It is pleasing to see that Engen has continued sponsorship of the programme that has grown into a huge initiative. I hope that other corporate citizens will follow in the footsteps of Engen in assisting in science, maths and technology," says Cassius.