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Master of Ceremonies
District Head
Honourable Guests
Principal and staff
School Governing Bodies
Parents and learners
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is indeed an honour for me to be part of this celebration today. Our reason to celebrate is based on the realisation that our commitment to opening the doors of learning to all is increasingly growing momentum and leading to more opportunities for all of us.

We are also celebrating in order to demonstrate efforts towards the delivery of quality, learner-centred, life-long education.

In officially opening this centre, I shall have failed in my duty if I do not congratulate all the stakeholders who tirelessly and selflessly worked towards the realisation of this dream. It is indeed a joyous moment, a moment for a dream come true.

The winds of change blowing through our country place a heavy demand on our education system. In order for schools to produce citizens who are competitive and skilful, we have no option but to expose learners to information and computer technology. This infusion of technology and computer in education will lead to the expansion of the learners' horizons.

Their knowledge base will expand as they begin to be exposed to the global trends and development and thus becoming not only citizens of South Africa, but of the entire global village. As they begin to be exposed to other concepts and issues they become critical thinkers. In this way, they will be empowered to face reality and solve their own problems.

Their creativity will be enhanced as they access information, manipulate data, synthesise concepts. This initiative will further assist learners to be decisive on issues and be able to take informed decisions using the available data and relevant information. Such an interactive involvement will really help us to produce a generation of well-informed and skilled South Africans.

Besides expanding their horizons, I feel relieved that most of the stressful management and administrative tasks will be a closed chapter. This calls for us not only to view the computer as a learning tool, but also as management and administrative instrument as well as a labour saving device. Schools have a challenge to implement computer programs aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness in teaching, administration and management.

These programs may involve instructional approaches, performance-based assessment, easy tracking of learner's work and planning. In a long run, libraries, network systems for information and telecommunication may be accessed through computers. I strongly believe that effective use of computers and related information technology can enhance staff productivity and accelerate learner achievement.

Whilst we rejoice and celebrate, we should be mindful that the task of achieving these noble goals is demanding and strenuous. We should continuously develop strategies that seek to involve other schools and promote sharing. I therefore call upon stakeholders to begin thinking about initiating a school information and computer technology (ICT) development plan. This plan will clearly map the journey towards the realisation of these goals. We have to be creative in our thinking how information technology will enhance excellence in our endeavours.

Master of Ceremonies; I have no doubt; this initiative will lead to more opportunities for our disadvantaged learners. I urge all of them to study hard, utilise the available equipment extensively to develop their knowledge. I also urge the community to look after this property. It is ours, for our own development. If we do not take care of it, we will be robbing the future generations of a lifetime fountain of knowledge. I am confident that you will not fail us in this endeavour.

Once more - Congratulations! For the five computers and to Mrs Rina Stander for having received an award as one of South Africa's best teachers at the National Teachers' Awards for Excellence in Primary School Teaching. We expect the school to continue producing such dedicated and committed educators. My appreciation is also extended to the School Governing Body and all stakeholders who are trying their best to deliver quality education to all.

Issued by Education, Mpumalanga

5 November 2001