R24m spent on computers so far.
Ii would cost R1.8-billion to curb “ghost pupils” and implement e-learning and digital administration for Eastern Cape schools, according to the provincial education department.
The department has decided to convert administration at schools across the province from manual registers to digital.
So far the department has spent R24-million on buying computers for 731 schools, but needs more than R1.801-billion to introduce this to all schools by the 2018-19 financial year, said education department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani.
He said the department was currently rolling out a comprehensive information and communication technology (ICT) strategy to have learners using ICT resources for all learning activities within the next five years.
“That agenda is also buttressed by our far-reaching partnership with Vodacom which is opening up ICT teacher training centres throughout the province to enable internet access for all schools, and especially improve the teaching of mathematics and science in township and rural schools,” he said.
He said resolutions of the department’s ICT summit held at the East London ICC in July implored the department to fast-track access for all learners in order to realise improvement in the overall performance of learners.
“The procurement of computers for our schools is in line with that initiative. It is completely unrelated to the procurement of study guides, which are all readily available to all schools that have ordered them,” he said.
The department has spent R22.7-million buying 2403 computers for 731 schools.
Pulumani said the department would spend R381-million to train teachers, more than R84-million on hardware and another R1.3-billion on software.
According to the sustainable development programme at the Africa Institute of South Africa (Aisa), the Eastern Cape is lagging in the use of computers as a learning tool.
“It is estimated that 10% of South Africa’s 28000 schools have access to one or more computers,” a research report from Aisa revealed.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed at a portfolio committee meeting earlier this year that its goal of every basic and higher education learner being ICT-capable by 2013, first mentioned in the White Paper back in 2004, had not been achieved.
According to the committee report, the department said provinces gave unequal funding to support e-learning and only a few schools made computers available for teaching and learning.
It also mentioned a lack of a dedicated budget, provincial plans and competent personnel, the high cost of connectivity and reluctance of network operators to offer e-rates.
The DBE conceded it had not done as well as it should have in providing library and information services. — mphumziz@dispatch.co.za
EC schools need R1.8bn to go digital
Ii would cost R1.8-billion to curb “ghost pupils” and implement e-learning and digital administration for Eastern Cape schools, according to the provincial education department.
The department has decided to convert administration at schools across the province from manual registers to digital.
So far the department has spent R24-million on buying computers for 731 schools, but needs more than R1.801-billion to introduce this to all schools by the 2018-19 financial year, said education department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani.
He said the department was currently rolling out a comprehensive information and communication technology (ICT) strategy to have learners using ICT resources for all learning activities within the next five years.
“That agenda is also buttressed by our far-reaching partnership with Vodacom which is opening up ICT teacher training centres throughout the province to enable internet access for all schools, and especially improve the teaching of mathematics and science in township and rural schools,” he said.
He said resolutions of the department’s ICT summit held at the East London ICC in July implored the department to fast-track access for all learners in order to realise improvement in the overall performance of learners.
“The procurement of computers for our schools is in line with that initiative. It is completely unrelated to the procurement of study guides, which are all readily available to all schools that have ordered them,” he said.
The department has spent R22.7-million buying 2403 computers for 731 schools.
Pulumani said the department would spend R381-million to train teachers, more than R84-million on hardware and another R1.3-billion on software.
According to the sustainable development programme at the Africa Institute of South Africa (Aisa), the Eastern Cape is lagging in the use of computers as a learning tool.
“It is estimated that 10% of South Africa’s 28000 schools have access to one or more computers,” a research report from Aisa revealed.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed at a portfolio committee meeting earlier this year that its goal of every basic and higher education learner being ICT-capable by 2013, first mentioned in the White Paper back in 2004, had not been achieved.
According to the committee report, the department said provinces gave unequal funding to support e-learning and only a few schools made computers available for teaching and learning.
It also mentioned a lack of a dedicated budget, provincial plans and competent personnel, the high cost of connectivity and reluctance of network operators to offer e-rates.
The DBE conceded it had not done as well as it should have in providing library and information services. — mphumziz@dispatch.co.za
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