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VAN SCHAIK ASSISTS WITH CONNECTIVITY DURING ONLINE STUDIES
The outbreak of the Coronavirus brought many challenges to every industry and person in South Africa. The Higher education sector has also been affected. Students unable to attend classes returned home, and many institutions decided to embark on distance education through online learning.
The National Student Financial Aids scheme, NSFAS has indicated that all students qualified for funding will also receive a laptop or funding to purchase a laptop to facilitate online learning. Nonetheless, there are still many students who do not qualify for government funding and do not have access to electronic devices, leading to a digital divide. Feenix, a crowdfunding public benefit organisation, in partnership with Van Schaik has launched the #CapTheGap COVID-19 Relief Fund, to equip these students, focusing on those in their final year as well as postgraduate students.
With Van Schaik sourcing and distributing the devices and data to the relevant students, this partnership will ensure that resources are securely and safely given to students who have shown commitment and determination in their educational journeys and will be among the first to enter and build South Africa’s economy post-COVID-19.
With a footprint of close to 80 branches countrywide, Van Schaik stores are best placed as the distribution partner for the #CapTheGap relief fund since they are accessible, safe, and equipped with well-developed infrastructure and expert knowledge. This infrastructure and knowledge allows for the relief fund to cater to students’ needs, some students prefer to personally collect the devices at their nearest Van Schaik store, while others because of distance opt for the devices to be shipped to their homes.
Van Schaik’s aim has always been to bring study material within reach of every person studying in South Africa to help them to achieve their educational goals, which in turn uplifts the greater community's standard of living.
Click here to read about other initiatives Van Schaik has been involved.