Cape Town — Poor school pupils in the northern province of Mpumalanga can now climb on the technology bandwagon, or rather a technology school bus, which has been equipped with 10 laptop computers and a plasma screen.

The bus, equipped at a cost of R600 000, was developed through a training agreement between the municipality and the Norwegian Association for Local Government.

The bus was provided by Buscor, which will also maintain it. In return, Buscor will be allowed to use the bus to train its own employees. It was handed over by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation earlier this week.

Redefining the term "school bus", the mobile training unit will serve scholars from the poorer schools in the Mbomela municipal area that includes Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview, KaNyamazane, Matsulu and KaBokweni.

According to the Government Communications and Information Service, the bus will also be used for adult basic education for the broader community, and to train municipal officials and councillors.

"Far-flung areas do not always get adequate servicing," says Mbomela mayor Isaiah Khoza.

"The very fact that some of the...beneficiaries...will be touching a computer for the very first time, brings hope that the fires of learning will be sparked in their hearts and minds."

Norwegian Embassy representative Sten Andes Berge says the embassy targeted the municipality as a means to facilitate education, because municipalities are the "building blocks of any society".

"These are positive undertakings and we hope this effort will lead towards the communities achieving a higher level of academic awareness," he says.

Local learning officers will be appointed to identify candidates for training, whether it is from schools, the broader community or the municipality.

The officers will then suggest venues and dates for the municipality to agree upon.