More schools offline despite pledge
DESPITE a pledge 10 years ago that every pupil in South Africa would be IT-capable by 2013, the Department of Education has admitted that the number of schools with computers and connectivity has decreased since 2002.
Undeterred, Education Department spokesman Elijah Mhlangu vowed that all pupils would have access to the web and know how to navigate it within the next 10 years.
The department is determined to forge ahead with e-learning despite concerns about a lack of IT training for teachers — only 32% have received training and of those only 10% have implemented the training in the classroom.
Kobus van Wyk, a member of the ministerial committee on mathematics, science and technology, estimates that more than half the equipment given to schools has rarely been touched, because teachers cannot use it.
The national policy on IT in education was detailed in a 2004 white paper and its goal was to have all pupils IT-capable by 2013.
In her budget speech, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga promised that, through a partnership with Vodacom, 60 teacher centres would be operational by the end of this financial year and a broadband policy would be implemented next year.
But the DA’s Desiree van der Walt said the department admitted to the basic education portfolio committee that the number of schools with IT infrastructure declined from 26.5% in 2002 to 24% in 2011. Only 3% of teachers in Limpopo and 9% in the Eastern Cape received IT training.
“This is extremely concerning given the need for computer literacy skills for learners in finding jobs when they leave school,” she said.
The ministerial committee found last year that connec- tivity at schools was a problem, e-mail access was “erratic” and many teachers were “digitally illiterate”.
“Teachers are unable to perform a simple task like typing a test paper [on a computer] and are in dire need of ICT training,” its report found.
Van Wyk said although the department had good intentions, it lacked resources and teachers needed continuous training to use the technology. “Many teachers are comfortable with technology but are scared it will take over their job. They believe ‘Children are not listening to me. They are listening to the computer. They don’t ask me for the answer, they Google it.’ ”
Arthur Goldstuck, founder of World Wide Worx, said fear of technology among teachers was “probably the biggest obstacle to e-learning”.
Mhlanga said older teachers often suffered from technophobia, but “the number of young teachers coming into the system is increasing. University students use tablets, laptops and computers, so they are bringing that into their new place of work.”
He said a revised plan for e-learning would address teacher training and problems with connectivity and equipment. Next month, the Council for Education Ministers will hold a lekgotla to “further discuss a concrete plan”.
Vodacom’s successful mobile education programme builds e-learning capacity among teachers. Since starting in 2010, 10 000 teachers have been trained.
Suraya Hamdulay, executive head for Vodacom media and sustainability, said obstacles included low levels of ICT literacy and technophobia among teachers.
“Sometimes, equipment will stay in boxes for a long time, or teachers report that equipment is not working, whereas they have not connected correctly. Or, teachers use very basic functions because they are afraid to venture into other possibilities. This needs continuous training and support for the teachers until they feel comfortable.”
A teacher said her Port Elizabeth high school had been given 24 tablets, but “we have no support from the department and the teachers do not know how to use the tablets”.