“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Access to quality education across the life course is a central focus of the Sustainable Development Goals; without quality education and supportive services which ensure there are no impediments to learning, children face considerable barriers to employment & growth. Education is also a human right, one that allows a person to access all other human rights. It is a powerful driver of development, and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability; it gives people the ability to shape a better future for themselves and their societies.
With the Father's Heart launching the first ever online school in Fisantekraal and celebrating 2 years in existence, we asked some of our students to share their experience. The online school was started for the purpose of giving kids in the community who do not have access to education an online option and specifically aimed at those children who had to leave school due to circumstances out of their control, those who were never given the opportunity to start due to limited space or neglect, those who cannot attend mainstream school due to severe bullying or behavioural issues, and also to provide a safe space for teenage moms where they can continue their schooling whilst pregnant. By bridging this gap in education, we ensure they complete their schooling & reach their full potential, instead of dropping out and becoming dependent on government grants, which is often the case.
Janicka – Grade 12
Think Digital Academy is easy to understand. It’s easy to work
home when I’m sick. Online school teaches us how to manage time better and we also
have a weekly activity report that the parents can see what their children is
doing. I prefer Online school because it’ s less pressure from social interactions
and your exam timetable is clear and we also get feedback on marked
assessments.
Fya – Grade 10
Ek vind dit beter
hiedie jaar as die vorige jaar. Ja dis soms moelik, but ek sal liewer my bes
probeer as om staat te maak op ander. Wat ek net geleer het is dat jy werk
harder and die werk is meer verstaanbaar. Ek vind die online school baie interersant
as voorheen cause ek het baie geleer en ook geleer dat jy moet vra vrae
Azur – Grade 10
My experience of the online school was actually good. I don’t
have much to say, but learning wise it is excellent. I personally and honestly
feel like sometimes I still need like a teacher or someone to give me work in that way as
I can get to start working more faster because without that I get easily distracted.
Whasiela – Grade 10
Ek will vandag praat
oor hoe ek voel oor die skool. Die Think Digital het my meer ondervinding gegee
oor di skool werk. Ek het ook meer ervaring gekry. By ander skole net ek and
nie sulker ervaring gerkry. Ek is ssbaie trots op myself want by die online kry
ek baie meer punte as wat ek gedink het ek sal kry. My vakke is ook nie a
probleem nie. Die online skool is reg vir my. Ek kry al die nogdie hulp wak ek moet kry.