New Media Print and Digital Communication Specialists (PTY) LTD T/A New Media Inc. and Destiny Village are in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in the provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and computer skills for learners in rural and township schools.

The focus of the programme is to train learners on basic computer skills so that they can feel confident about using computers and any associated technology or electronic media. This training will be supplemented by the rollout of computers to schools through the DBE’s other programmes, like the installation of computers by the Department of Telecommunication, building on the foundation laid by our programme. Even if the computer roll-out to schools is delayed due to budget or other constraints, the learners, having been introduced to how computers can be used to access knowledge, would be capacitated to use computers wherever available.

Department’s Current Approach to ICT and e-Learning Currently, the DBE’s approach to ICT and e-learning has been focused on teacher training as well as integration of ICT into the school curriculum with subjects like IT (Information Technology) and CAT (Computer Applications Technology). This approach however, is only implemented in those schools, mainly private and former Model C, that have the teachers and ICT equipment to make such teaching meaningful. Even in these schools, it caters only for those learners who choose to select these subjects as part of their curriculum. The rest are left without any opportunity and knowledge of computers and their usage.

The rest of the schools that are not so endowed with facilities and equipment, mainly in the townships and rural areas, are in a worse situation, even where learners in those schools have an interest in ICT. This suggests that the current approach needs to be supplemented with additional ICT training that goes beyond the current curriculum.

The content and main thrust of this training, albeit basic, will be in line with the objectives of IT and CAT education to equip learners to effectively use information and communications technologies to collect, analyse, process, present, and communicate information.

Our proposed aim is to:

• Speed-up the provision of ICT skills training for learners beyond specific ICT related subject choices
• Capacitate the learners to access learning information via the internet and other electronic media
• Extend partnerships with the private sector in addressing current challenges in education
• Support the DBE in helping the country to achieve Target 18 of the objectives of Millennium Develop Goal 8 “Cooperation with the private sector to make available the benefits of new technologies especially information and communications technologies.”
• Build a strong base for broader e-learning initiatives
• Improve language comprehension, which has an impact on understanding most of the subjects in a class
• To improve the general overall performance of the underperforming schools

The New Approach & Framework Benefits

This approach to training provides several advantages in that the method is cost effective â€" more affordable than a fixed structure; provides the advantages of mobility â€" can be moved from class to class; and easily scalable i.e. additional capacity can be achieved quickly.

The joint action with New Media Inc. and Destiny Village provides an opportunity for the DBE to build long lasting partnerships that will allow access to the resources of these organisations, and to the pool of skills available.

Through their oversight role for this process and in consultation with New Media Inc. and Destiny Village, the DBE would ensure that the training is directed at those schools likely to have the most positive impact. The DBE has supplied details of at least 40 schools from the four provinces performing the least i.e. Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZuluNatal and Limpopo.

We believe that this project will assist the DBE and the country at large to address the goal of improving education and capacitating learners to meet current and future personal development needs.

The private sector partnership is crucial in ensuring the success and sustainability of this intervention. 

Contact Siphokazi Sowazi
Chief Executive Officer
New Media Inc.
E: sowazis@nmediainc.co.za