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VAN SCHAIK ASSISTS WITH CONNECTIVITY DURING LOCKDOWN

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.

Van Schaik encourages all its customers to join us and Feenix to #CapTheGap by joining this campaign. Click here for more information on how you can ensure more students cross this digital divide.

 

 VAN SCHAIK/ INTELLIMALI PROJECT COMMITTED TO SERVING UNISA STUDENTS

 

Van Schaik partnered with Intellimali, a company specializing in the administration and payment of funds, with the distribution of the Intellimali cards for UNISA students. From the outset Van Schaik allocated specific stores for the collection of the cards, however before long we understood that it is smarter to have it accessible at all stores based on the spread of UNISA students and the fact that our stores are geographically placed around most of the country.

Students can contact their nearest Van Schaik store to collect, register, and activate their Intellicard and start to use it immediately. This all gets done in a safe and controlled environment with the assistance of experienced staff.

CONNECTIVITY IN THE HANDS OF THE STUDENT

 

Rewards-App.png  Van Schaik partnered with Cape Peninsula University to bring connectivity to their students during this time of the Covid 19 pandemic. The institution embarked on online classes and thus approached Van Schaik to assist with distributing data to a group of students to provide connectivity, so that the students may be able to continue with their classes online.

Van Schaik offered to distribute the data to all students via the Van Schaik Rewards App. The institution provided Van Schaik with a list of beneficiaries and their contact details. The students had to download and register on the App with the contact details provided.

The number of points equal to the amount of data was loaded into the in-App wallet of the student, thus allowing the students to use their points to buy data to use for their online studies. In addition to the points received, students can also earn points for In-App swiping and redeem it for more data, airtime, or Discount vouchers from our Retail partners. Registering on the App also allows them to participate in In-App promotions and competitions and allows for an allotted cash discount on In-store purchases.

 

FINANCE TO ASSIST YOUR STUDY NEEDS

 

GetBucks.png South Africa has approximately 1 million higher education students of which approximately 400,000 are funded by NSFAS, South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid. The remainder of the students, who are not funded by NSFAS are responsible to pay for tuition, travel or accommodation and study material themselves.

Van Schaik partnered with GetBucks South Africa, an NCR registered credit provider to assist such students with funds to get access to their study material. This partnership is a natural fit as Van Schaik with its national footprint of close to 80 stores are closest to the academic community.  Van Schaik has a fair understanding of student needs and has stocked study material for many decades, putting us at the forefront of student needs. In partnership with GetBucks, Van Schaik gives access to mindful budgetary help. During this season of the Covid 19 pandemic, more people need finance for educational purposes such as extra study material, electronic devices, and connectivity to support the new norm of online studies. GetBucks can assist individuals with the financing of these learning materials with an affordable monthly fee.

Students can request more information and assistance at their nearest Van Schaik store. The process is straightforward and simple. Click here to learn more about GetBucks