Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga has expressed admiration for Vodacom’s willingness to become an ally with the Education Department for the growth of public schools at the handover ceremony of Vodacom's Virtual Classroom Solution.
This came after the Covid-19 Disaster Regulations had been urged by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to bring forth support for online learning and to also relieve congestion on South Africa’s telecommunication network.
Motshekga said that the country must learn not to spend its children’s inheritance, but invest to benefit the next generation.
In a Vodacom press release, Vodacom Business Chief Officer, William Mzimba said:
Vodacom firmly believes in partnering with the government to not only drive digital inclusion in the country but also democratise access to connectivity, bridge the gap between legacy education systems and technology.
Mzimba added that online education is an important tool in making society equal because learners will access technological equipment and online educational content regardless of their socio-economic status or where they are.
This inevitably means that teachers will also need to be equipped in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for this project to thrive.
The Minister has revealed that this move has been agile, innovative, and modern.
Basic Education has also finalised its plans to use digital Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) through ICTs at all levels of its sector.
In a government official statement, Motshekga said this solution in secondary schools will allow teachers to transform their pedagogical practices by providing improved educational content and more effective teaching and learning methods.
