Improving broadband access in schools, particularly in the Western Cape’s most disconnected communities will be of great benefit to learners and teaching staff.
According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), it has made progress in ensuring that schools across the province has affordable high-speed broadband networks.
However, there are a number of schools that still do not have broadband installed, as a result of infrastructural obstacles.
Speaking at a committee meeting, WCED Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Management and Assessment Management, Mr Haroon Mahomed explained that the department has already started upgrading infrastructure in rural areas and there could be fewer than the 237 schools that were reported not to have access to the internet.
“The schools received a stipend to get internet access for at least their office spaces.” said Mr Mahomed
When asked whether the WCED was giving stipends to schools where broadband was not installed, Mr Mahomed’s response was that the 237 schools were those that did not get access in the rollout of broadband because of the system in the province, and the measure taken by the Department was to give them a stipend to access the internet.
Concerns have been expressed about the department's efforts to provide broadband internet at the remaining 237 schools and whether there are measures in place to address the infrastructural obstacles.
In response, Mr Mahomed said that broadband internet was not implemented in all the 1 523 schools because of a particular structural challenge that was faced at 237 schools.
He adds that the department’s e-learning directorate was busy with a project to provide these schools with technology infrastructure.
