Johannesburg - “Bringing technology into a broken education system is a waste of time.”
“Information and communication technology (ICT) is not high on the Department of Basic Education’s agenda, and it’s practised in a fragmented, uncoordinated manner.”
“It’s impossible to roll out ICT across all provinces because of varying situations and the different approaches to interpreting ICT policy.”
These are some of the findings of a survey that was conducted among people and organisations involved with ICT in education.
The survey was done by Bridge, an education non-profit organisation, and commissioned by CoZa Cares Foundation in partnership with the Department of Basic Education. Its finding were released in Sandton this week.
Barbara Dale Jones from Bridge, who presented the findings, said the survey, which was conducted among 24 people, was not research but a “thought piece and a conversation starter”.
Jones said one of the issues that came out among those who were interviewed was that there were “key enablers” that needed to be in place for ICT to be properly adapted in schools. These include adequate infrastructure, a safe school environment and technical support - for software and hardware support, as well as training.
Jones said the survey also revealed that there was a need for the role of teachers to be redefined.
“There’s something different going on in our modern world and teachers need to be equipped accordingly,” she said.
There was also a call for the curriculum to be adjusted to enable teachers and pupils to choose and use content that is appropriate and relevant to them.
Teachers who were at the release said one of the major hindrances to integrating ICT in the classroom was the fact that they were bound by what the department prescribed.
A primary school teacher from Limpopo said the manner in which they are expected to teach limited creativity from both teachers and pupils.
The Star