Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership Launches Learning Center in Soweto

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership Launches Learning Center in Soweto

The Project's 29th Learning Center in South Africa Demonstrates Sustainability After Eight Years

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, a non-profit organization that helps under-resourced schools and communities around the world have access to the universe of education through technology, today launched a new Learning Center in Soweto, South Africa. The Isu'lihle Senior Primary School in Soweto is the Global Education Partnership's 29th Learning Center in the country, demonstrating the sustainability of the project and its effectiveness in educating students, teachers and communities.

"Today's launch has special significance because it demonstrates the long- term commitment of the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership to South Africa," said Dr. Gail Ifshin, Executive Director, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership. "But our work here isn't finished -- we're as determined as ever to bringing the world of educational technology to the doorstep of thousands of children who live in rural and under-resourced areas in Africa and around the world."

Attendees of the launch included officials with The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), local government officials and business executives from Discovery Communications, Caltex, MultiChoice and Intel.

The project first launched in South Africa in 1997. Including the Isu'lihle Senior Primary School in Soweto, there are now 29 Learning Centers that serve more than 58,000 students in the country. More than 400 teachers have been trained in the use of television and video as an educational tool to date in South Africa.

With the help of private corporations, governments and individuals, each participating school is equipped with a television, VCR, satellite technology if possible, a source of electricity if necessary, a library of specially produced, locally relevant educational video programming, and access to other information available via television and video that meets the needs of the school and community. Each Learning Center receives three years of teacher training and technical support in how to use TV and video effectively in the classroom and as a community resource.

Learning Centers become media-education hubs for the entire community, offering information on topics ranging from literacy training to public health issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria. To date, the Partnership has established 158 Learning Centers reaching over 330,000 students in nine countries: Angola, Mexico, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership is a non-profit organization that was spearheaded by Discovery Communications, Inc. in 1997 as an effort to bring together partners from the public and private sectors in support of a unique, international, grassroots education and technology project serving disadvantaged communities. Through its Learning Center project and with donor support, the Partnership provides schools and community centers in under-resourced areas with a television and VCR, teacher training, and the on-going delivery of relevant educational video programming. The Partnership is active in nine countries: Angola, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe and works closely to support the respective Ministry of Education programs to use technology to enhance teaching and learning. Worldwide, the Learning Center project serves more than 330,000 children to date and has trained more than 5,600 teachers in the use of TV and video in the classroom.

For more information visit http://www.discoveryglobaled.org/.

Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with over one billion cumulative subscribers. DCI's 65 networks of distinctive programming represent 21 entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Espanol, Discovery HD Theater and FitTV. DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education, Discovery.com and 120 Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE:L), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.


Source: Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership

CONTACT: Jennifer Henry of Discovery Channel Global Education
Partnership, +1-240-662-3703, Jennifer_Henry@discovery.com

Web site: http://www.discoveryglobaled.org/


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