Pupils at Masiphumelele High School are enjoying the school’s media centre which was ugraded by The Atlas Foundation. Pictured, from left, are acting principal Thandiswa Mgqamqo, pupils Lilitha Mejeni and Ali Jeke, and Musawenkosi Sokapase who oversees the running of the centre.
Pupils at Masiphumelele High School got their first look at their school’s upgraded media centre on Tuesday March 13, after it had been transformed by The Atlas Foundation.
The media centre, which was previously an unused library, will serve as a life orientation classroom, an after-school homework centre, as well as a resource centre for exploring reading materials and completing assignments.
Acting principal Thandiswa Mgqamqo is pleased that the pupils now have a more appealing and functional space.
“The pupils had never been interested in using this space before, it was in desperate need of upgrading,” she said.
“They're so excited now, and I'm so grateful to The Atlas Foundation for doing this.”
The upgrades to the media centre included the installation of new flooring, new tables and chairs, additional computers, a fresh coat of paint, and the categorisation of the books.
The Atlas Foundation, founded by former English rugby player, Jason Leonard OBE, is a global children’s charity working on projects worldwide with a strong presence in Masiphumelele and Ocean View.
Atlas Foundation trustee, Sue Anderson, said their rugby sports programmes are underpinned by quality education, and the new media centre at the Masiphumelele High School will have a significant impact on the school's educational needs.
“It will be used during and after school with supervision in place and we will ensure the relevant computer programmes and latest book releases are stocked up,” Ms Anderson said.
Lilitha Mejeni, a pupil at the school, said sometimes she just wants time to read, somewhere quiet and without distractions, and now she has a place to do that.
“There are also students who do not have access to the internet at home or money to purchase data if they need to complete school work or do projects, now they have a space they can use,” she said.
Pupil, Ali Jeke, said he is glad to be able to use the media centre for assignments or do further research on a subject.
“Everyone wants to be here and we feel more eager to learn. I love how the space looks now,” he said.