EAST LONDON - A South African company has brought a twist to school bags which convert them into functional desks and chairs, fitted with USB charging ports.
This initiation through a partnership between the Education Department and MiDesk Global is aimed at bridging educational gaps.
These portable desks include a chair and a surface to write on, which can be used both at home and at school.
Midesk has been introduced into a number of South African schools and other classrooms across the continent.
In the Eastern Cape, 300 of these wheelie bags have been distributed to pupils.
The director of School Resource Planning with the Eastern Cape Education Department, Sibusiso Lukhozi said these mobile hardcover school bags have been tested and are easily manageable by Grade 1 pupils.
Considering that some pupils reside in rural areas and have to either walk long distances to school Lukhozi said there is an option to keep these innovative school bags at school.
This initiative has seen mixed reactions from South Africa with many bringing the questions of dealing with the issue of shortage of desks and chairs in disadvantaged schools.
However Lukhozi defended the learning tool.