The donation has underscored the cosy relationship between the South African government and China. According to the Asian nation, it is a collaboration that “empowers education.”
The monetary contribution was announced at a ministerial breakfast hosted by the Gauteng provincial government this week. The ceremony honoured the country’s top National Senior Certificate achievers.
‘We believe in education’ – Chinese Consul General
Senior provincial leaders, including Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Education MEC Matome Chiloane, attended the event, along with Chinese Consul General Pan Qingjiang.
“I am very happy to be here to attend the announcement of Gauteng’s matric results,” said Pan.
“As a sponsor, we congratulate the matriculants who have performed well. We believe education is the cornerstone of every nation. Young people are the future.”
The donation reflects the close diplomatic relationship between China and South Africa, which extends to cooperation with provincial governments.
“Both China and South Africa enjoy long-term good relations and embrace a bright future,” Pan added. “We continue to empower education and young people through our collaboration.”
Pan also highlighted exchange programmes that are in place that allow South African learners and tertiary students to study in China.
Lesufi and Chiloane expressed gratitude to the Chinese Consulate for its “unwavering” support towards education in South Africa.
‘Chalkboards belong in museums’ – Gauteng Premier pushes for AI in schools
At the same ceremony, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi renewed his call for artificial intelligence (AI) to be fully embraced in South Africa’s classrooms.
Lesufi said that technology, and specifically AI, is key to fixing education and growing South Africa’s economy.
The Premier argued that AI should be a learning tool in schools and not something that merely supports “social media distractions.”
He said pupils must be allowed to use AI in their schoolwork, and that teachers should also be trained to guide its use effectively.
Read more on that story here.
