Johannesburg, 29 January 2014 - Today marks the launch of a
new initiative to complement O.R. Tambo International Airport’s well-structured
programme to empower communities in the vicinity of the airport. The airport
will be launching a Back to School Campaign to bolster education and early
childhood development, both of which are prime focus areas of the airport’s
Corporate Social Investment approach. As a positive start to 2014, O.R. Tambo International Airport, in partnership
with education company Simple Tutoring, will launch a Back to School campaign at
the OR Tambo Primary School in Phomolong today. The objectives of the campaign
are to support and foster academic development and to reward excellence in
education. Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, Manager: Communications and Brand Management at O.R.
Tambo International, explains, “This is a multi-faceted campaign designed to
provide positive support for education within communities adjacent to the
airport. Furthermore, it is our way of adding value to the government’s agenda
of developing, maintaining and supporting the culture of learning and
teaching. The Back to School campaign starts today and will run until 28 February. In
total, O.R. Tambo International will donate 1 200 developmental stationery packs
to Grade 1 pupils. Each pack contains a white board and markers, an abacus, a
colouring book and crayons, pencils and an eraser. The contents will equip the
learners to perform certain key learning expectations, as set out in their
curriculum. Over the next few weeks, Bapsfontein (Daveyton), Umnyezane (Daveyton) and
Mpumelelo (Ivory Park) Primary Schools will also receive developmental packs.
The airport will, through a qualified partner provide constant, additional
teaching and mentoring in reading, mathematics and science for all grades at
these schools. This service will provide an invaluable support structure to the
schools and also ensure sustainability of improved learning. “On 6 February, as a means of rewarding excellence, the airport will host the
Ekurhuleni North District Awards ceremony for 2013’s top Grade 12 learners. The
learners worked hard and it’s important to acknowledge their efforts,” added
Batyashe-Fillis The campaign will be concluded with the handing over of a science laboratory
to Tswelopele High School in Tembisa on 28 February. The school has never had a
laboratory facility; an essential resource for the effective teaching of
science. This donation is O.R. Tambo International Airport’s response to the
shortage of engineers in South Africa and an investment in ensuring that there
are sufficient engineers for the aviation sector and the company’s airports in
years to come. For media queries, please contact:
Unathi Batyashe-Fillis
Manager:
Communications and Brand Management
O.R. Tambo International
Airport
Direct: +27 (0) 11 921 6087
Cell: +27 (0) 79 882 7307
Email: unathi.batyashe-fillis@airports.co.za
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