JOHANNESBURG - The Vodacom Foundation, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education has launched its Schools of Excellence (SoE) model at Nkone Maroping primary school in Braamfischerville, Soweto. The initiative builds on Vodacom's commitment to using technology to improve learning outcomes and expand access to quality education in underserved communities across South Africa.
The SoE model is a key pillar of Vodacom's educational ecosystem and works by combining technology, infrastructure improvements and dedicated support for learners and educators. At Nkone Maroping has seen an investment of more than R1million by Vodacom to deepen digital inclusion and extend educational opportunities for the school's approximately 1,200 learners.
The model also recognises that a strong learning journey begins before primary school. As part of the launch, Asha Braamfischer pre-school has also received more than R800,000 worth of support. The support for Asha Braamfischer pre-school and Nkone Maroping primary school reflects a connected view of education: from early childhood development through the primary years, and onward through a learner's education.
Extending the work of the Vodacom Foundation, the Vodacom South African Fibre team also announced the provision of fibre connectivity to not only the school, but homes of learners around the school.
"That link between the school and learners' homes matters," Mdlalose noted. "Connectivity at school can support digital learning and access to educational resources. But connectivity at home can help children continue exploring and learning beyond the school day and can bring families closer to the opportunities and services available online."
"At Vodacom our ambition is not simply to bring a connection to a building, but to make digital inclusion tangible in people's everyday lives. When more learners and families can access the digital world, they have more opportunities to participate in it, and more tools with which to pursue their ambitions."
The Nkone Maroping SoE launch marks another significant milestone in the Vodacom Foundation's commitment to using technology to foster a culture of academic excellence within the country's schooling system, while also creating sustainable educational opportunities in underserved communities across South Africa.
In Gauteng alone, Vodacom's SoE model has established six Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and four Schools of Excellence, including Nkone Maroping, while a fifth school is nearing completion at 95%. Across South Africa, the initiative has expanded into a nationwide ecosystem of more than 39 Schools of Excellence, 39 ECD centres and 10 Youth Academy centres, creating opportunities for more than 30,000 learners through improved access to quality education and digital learning resources.
Launched in March 2019 to improve access to quality education in previously disadvantaged communities and developed to support government's Vision 2030 approach to education, the ecosystem brings together partners, resources, and services to address the needs of learners and educators. It recognises that lasting improvements in education depend on effective collaboration between stakeholders and coordinated delivery across the system.
Each school has at least two ICT coordinators to provide technical assistance, alongside psychosocial support professionals who help address violence and gender-based violence. Infrastructure upgrades include improved computer centres, security systems and sanitation facilities. Each School of Excellence is also located near an ECD centre, a Teacher Centre and a Vodacom ICT Youth Academy, connecting early learning, teacher development and digital skills training.
The core of model works by combining technology, infrastructure improvements, and dedicated support for learners and educators. This holistic approach supports more inclusive, quality education and helps equip young people to participate in a rapidly changing digital economy and build meaningful futures.
