Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma on Friday said that Operation Phakisa the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education will assist the country to have smart citizens in the future.
“We want to have smart citizens in the future,” Zuma said.
ICT has made strides in leveraging education to strengthen learning, Zuma said. He said 49 percent of schools in the country are reported to have access to connectivity.
Zuma said that there were established dedicated educational television channels that would benefit students as well as teachers.
“We must admit that we have not taken full advantage of what ICT can give us to achieve the benefits it brings into the teaching and learning,” Zuma said.
“Unfortunate the pace has been slow and inadequate.”
Zuma added that devices alone would not improve learning, “It is the manner that the tools are used through teaching and learning.”
Pupils will now be able to access resources to reach the requirements of the curriculum, Zuma said.
“Specialised resources will be given to disabled students and teachers will be able to engage in online programmes enhance their knowledge and deliver to students,” he said.
Zuma believed the outcome of ICT would renew passion for teaching and called for the private sector to assist to ensure sustainability.
He said that the presidency would monitor the programme in order to ensure that it is successful.
“Education enables people to move forward.”
Zuma said that countries that did not focus on education were left behind.
“Nations invested in education will always succeed and find a prosperous future,” he said.
“Teachers build the national by educating young people. We can not fail with Operation Phakisa.”
ANA