Eveline High School named Ciena Solutions Challenge Model School

Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has announced that Eveline High School has been selected as a Ciena Solutions Challenge Model School, a recognition that comes with access to cutting-edge technology and professional development support from Ciena and Digital Promise.
The Ciena Solutions Challenge is a global initiative by Digital Promise and Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) that invites middle and high school students to design solutions addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities.
As a Model School, Eveline High will benefit from professional development, mentoring, and tools for digital fabrication, coding, robotics, and media production to foster creativity, innovation, and invention among students.
Eveline High School’s selection is a testimony to its commitment to student-centred learning. The all-female institution previously received the Ciena Solutions Challenge Sustainability Award in 2022 and 2023.
As part of the 2024-2026 cohort, Eveline High will join Mnarani Public Secondary School in Mwanza, Tanzania, and E.E. Dr Secundino Dominguez Filho in São Paulo, Brazil. These schools will collaborate with existing cohorts in Ottawa, Canada, and Atlanta, United States.
Expressing excitement about the recognition, Eveline High School headmistress Mrs Sihle Ncube said, “We are honoured and excited to be part of the Ciena Solutions Challenge Model School cohort. This opportunity will empower our students with cutting-edge tools and skills, enabling them to become creative problem-solvers and innovators.
“At Eveline High School, we are committed to nurturing leaders who can address global challenges through local solutions, and this collaboration with Ciena and Digital Promise aligns perfectly with our vision for excellence and sustainability.”
The director of ESG Communications and Social Impact at Ciena, Ms Elizabeth Hunter praised the enthusiasm shown by students and educators.
“We are inspired by the unwavering enthusiasm students and educators have shown in making the Ciena Solutions Challenge part of their learning journey. Expanding our Model School program to include these three new schools will serve as a catalyst, fuelling the imagination of future innovators and empowering them to make a meaningful difference in their communities,” she said.
President and chief executive officer of Digital Promise, Jean-Claude Brizard, highlighted the significance of the initiative.
“As a global organisation, we are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with the new cohort of model schools in Brazil, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
“The educators at each of these schools have consistently demonstrated their commitment to cultivating student agency, creativity, and innovation. We are excited that the additional investment of technology and professional learning will further enable them to continue facilitating powerful learning experiences with students,” said Brizard.
@MbuleloMpofu
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