This morning, Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams, deputy minister of communications, handed over computer lab equipment and connectivity to the province’s Jonguhlanga Secondary and Chief Henry Bokleni High schools.
Sponsored by private sector entities Vodacom, IT Master and Pinnacle, the handover is part of the department’s ICT Rural Development Strategy, tabled to be carried out in the 2012/13 financial year. The strategy focuses on establishing new access centres in 161 “priority areas” across SA – as identified by the Department of Rural Development – and involves providing broadband connectivity to 1 650 schools.
Vodacom sponsored Jonguhlanga Secondary, in the Ngangelizwe Township, in Mthatha, with 21 laptops, Internet connectivity, a multimedia projector, a printer and training for teachers. Chief Henry Bokleni High, in Ntlaza Location, in Ngqeleni, was given 15 computers, Internet connection and a printer – sponsored by IT Master and Pinnacle.
Digital divide
Ndabeni-Abrahams says the South African government has been focused on education and rural development as priority areas – “to redress the injustices of the past” – since 1994.
“As the department, we are working to provide access to ICT services through broadband and school connectivity programmes to all South African children, irrespective of their geographic location.”
She says the department believes if learners are able to access the Internet from as early as grade R, they will “google their way out of poverty” and make a meaningful contribution to the South African economy.
This upcoming financial year (2013/14), says the deputy minister, the DOC will focus on establishing more partnerships and strengthening the existing ones. “I am now calling upon all philanthropists, development partners and businesses to come on board and make a contribution towards education.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Bonnie Tubbs
Quelle/Source: ITWeb, 25.01.2013
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