Learning is a key requirement for people and a prerequisite for individual and societal development. In South Africa many children and young people are unable to get the education they need due to the legacy of the past. Siemens assists in doing what it can so that our leaders of tomorrow are provided with a forward-looking education. The Generation 21 programme is focused on education at primary, secondary and tertiary level, with a particular focus on Maths and Science.
In addition to social development, education remains the biggest challenge facing South Africa’s youth. Many schools in disadvantaged areas still contend with inadequate and cramped facilities, poor management and administration, and untrained educators. The academic performance of learners at these schools is also compromised, particularly in the areas of maths and science. Siemens understands that it is vital that these challenges are tackled.
The newly launched Generation 21 partner-school programme provides a platform for the company to partner with selected schools and provide assistance across a broad range of areas. Working closely with the Department of Education, Ingqayizivele High School in Tembisa was selected as the first partner school. The school’s most pressing needs have already been identified and much effort will be put into replacing desks and chairs, upgrading the school security system, purchasing science and laboratory equipment and providing improved stationary, amongst many others.
We are very confident that the Partner School Programme will offer a tangible and sustainable long-term improvement in the learning environment for the almost 1,600 learners and 47 educators at Ingqayizivele. The stated intention of the programme is to assist in improving the academic outputs of the school, with a special focus on maths and science.
Siemens also has a keen focus on tertiary education. We partner with the electrical and electronic engineering faculties of the majority of the key tertiary institutions across the country. Bursaries are awarded to top performing students, with a special focus on those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, to study engineering. We also contribute to the further development of these Faculties through the purchase of laboratory equipment to aid and improve the learning experience. In all cases, a Siemens “ambassador” is appointed to engage with these tertiary institutions and facilitate the transfer of industry best practice and knowledge to the students.
The Cyber Junk Yard initiative is an annual competition focussed on developing interest in the automation industry amongst engineering students at participating tertiary institutions across the country.
Cyber Junk Yard’s objective is to map a real life applications based on industry demand and offers students exposure to practical, real-world technology scenarios. Through this initiative, Siemens is actively contributing to the development of young engineering skills in a market which currently reflects a dire shortage.
Another important Siemens contribution is a R20 million corporate social responsibility grant to the Lephalale FET College, an artisan training school, to be paid out over a two year period. The money will be used to purchase equipment for eight new workshops, classrooms and an IT laboratory. The class of 2007 consists of 162 students with approximately 570 students completing various levels of artisan training in 2009.