[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

2 April 2009

Science and technology at hundreds of KwaZulu-Natal schools have received a healthy shot in the arm with the official hand-over of 60 computer laboratories. The latest delivery will introduce thousands of learners, educators and manager to the new exciting world of technology.

Today, 2 April 2009, we are officially handing over 60 computer laboratories at 60 individual schools. Each laboratory has been equipped with 25 networked computers, laptops, data projectors and smart boards. These state of the art laboratories are air-conditioned to protect the equipment from heat, dust and moisture. We all know that electronic equipment is susceptible to all three above conditions.

A further 500 schools have been provided with single computers and printers for administrative purposes, while 200 schools have been connected to the internet and a total of 6 000 educators have been trained in basic computer literacy. Close to R51 million has been spent by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZNDoE) on this project across all 12 districts since January 2008.

Not so long ago, the province of KwaZulu-Natal was sitting third from the bottom (16,6% below the national average of 39,2%) in respect of the provisioning of Information Communication Technology (ICT) resources for teaching and learning to schools. In fact when I resumed office in 2004 the department did not even have a budget for ICT, nor did it have a strategy and a budget for the implementation of White Paper 7 on e-Education. White Paper 7 provides a national policy framework for the use of ICT as a resource to support teaching and learning in both the General Education and Training (GET), and Further Education and Training (FET) bands. It has been developed by national government to bridge the huge digital divide between the haves and the have nots – a gap described by the economist as "big as the Grand Canyon."

As part of our strategy to provide our 21st century children with 21st century equipment we established the mathematics, science, technology and information computer technology directorate within the department. We have since made great strides. With the exception of those schools without electricity, all our schools now have at least one or two computers for administrative purposes. This year we are going to provide a computer and a printer to all the schools without electricity and these will use advanced solar technology for the supply of electrical power.

Everybody seems to be talking about 21st century skills, but what does it all mean?

We have moved away from the processes of mere chalk and talk where teachers are the only sources of knowledge; and learning is characterised by learners who sit still and listen to the teacher. Experience worldwide suggests that ICT plays an important role in the transformation of education and training. ICT can enhance educational reform by enabling teachers and learners to move away from traditional approaches to teaching and learning that are teacher-centred, task-oriented and memory-based.

These ICT laboratories, which are officially handed over at Sivananda Primary School today, are leading edge learning spaces with ergonomically custom-built workstations that ensure the room can be used for curriculum integration. This is a departure from previous ICT facilities which could only be used to teach computer applications related skills.

While we stand proud of this achievement, we are also acutely aware of the challenges that face the schools that have received these ICT laboratories. It is critical for these schools to make sure that these laboratories do not become white elephants. The schools that have been privileged to receive these ICT resources should treasure and cherish them and learners must be encouraged to treat them with respect if they are to become responsible future citizens.

It is the responsibility of the communities in which these schools are situated to make sure that these resources are protected. Also the School Management Team (SMT) and the School Governing Body (SGB) need to come up with a school policy in respect of how the school intends to provide technical support and maintenance of this equipment at the end of three years when the warranties fall away. The best way to start is by forming an ICT committee at the school. It is therefore important that in all these 60 schools vibrant and functional ICT committees are established to address the above and other allied issues in respect of ICT in education.

Given the enormous historical backlogs in our province 60 computer laboratories will not equal the playing fields at all our 6 000 schools. But they will certainly better the lives of thousands of our children, educators and school communities. We are committed to do whatever it takes to provide all our learners with equal opportunities. Our progress has been commendable but with the help of all our citizens we can do even more.

Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
2 April 2009