Plan to connect public schools rather thin on funding details
ANC wants to include school broadband in licensing conditions
The ANC wants a review of licensing conditions for telecommunications companies to include school (broadband) connectivity.
This recommendation is contained in the party’s discussion document tabled at its national executive committee lekgotla that was held last month ahead of the cabinet lekgotla. The document, penned by Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, does not state how it plans to embark on this review.
South Africa has about 25 000 public schools and connecting all of them will come at a hefty cost. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that digital learning is required now, not in the future, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said two weeks ago.
She added there was a need to provide all pupils and educators with the necessary technological devices so that they were prepared for work in the 21st century.
Jacqui O’sullivan, the executive for corporate affairs at MTN SA, said MTN has a role to play in creating an enabling environment for innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation
Covid-19 has demonstrated that digital learning is required now
in the digital economy.
“MTN has been dedicated to contributing to government’s initiatives of bridging the digital divide by investing in the education sector. As one of Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) licensees, MTN was obligated to connect 1 360 mainstream schools and 140 institutions for persons with disabilities.
“Furthermore, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, MTN was also mandated as part of the radio frequency spectrum licensee conditions to connect five schools by rolling out a virtual classroom solution.
“These school connectivity projects were not simply an exercise to tick the compliance box for our licensing conditions, however, MTN has gone over and above the minimum requirements set out in the Icasa conditions by spending substantial amounts in refurbishing the classrooms to ensure that the connectivity solutions can be used optimally.”
Mooketsi Mocumi, Telkom’s spokesperson, said: “According to Icasa, the responsibility to connect South African public schools lies with the Department of Basic Education.
“Over the years, Telkom has worked with the department on a commercial and voluntary basis to support it to achieve its ambitions of connected schools. To date, Telkom has enabled the connectivity of over 1 700 schools.”
The Department of Basic Education, Vodacom and Icasa did not respond to questions.