Time to re-introduce tech into schools
ALEXANDRA - The recent provincial department of education's announcement to roll out a paperless education system in Gauteng has elicited a critique of the capacity of some Alex schools to adopt technology to advance education.
The recent provincial department of education’s announcement to roll out a paperless education system in Gauteng has elicited a critique of the capacity of some Alex schools to adopt technology to advance education.
Social activist Thabo Mopasi said local schools have no option but to adopt technology to integrate local education processes with international standards and norms. “Changing the old chalk-and-board methods is happening everywhere and our schools have no choice but to adapt. Unfortunately, Alex schools did not grab the opportunity to lead this process more than 10 years ago when the then Minister of Communication, the late Dr Ivy Matsepe Casaburri, in partnership with Information and Communication Technolgy mogul Mark Shuttleworth introduced computers to Minerva Secondary School.” He said this would have made Alex lead a process which now dominates discourse on improving education through [IT] integration.
Mopasi said computers introduced then where not used optimally and had little impact in exciting the interest and adoption by teachers, leaders, pupils and the community. “This resulted in them being obsolete before achieving their purpose.” He added that even with the later introduction of the IT programme Gauteng Online to schools by the department, this had not encouraged much adaptation to IT. He said the computers were most often locked in computer labs and also malfunctioned due to the break down of servers and power outages. “Also, there is a general view that school officials, especially in school management who are mostly old, have difficulty in adapting to technology. This does not inspire confidence in them leading the integration of what they may not be able to control.” Mopasi said the technology phobia disadvantaged the schools and was detrimental to children’s advancement.
Mopasi though expressed confident that schools are ready for the re-introduction of technology, but technology should relevant and adequate back-up support, training, security, user management systems and polices to enforce its application in schools.
Details: leratomopasi@gmail.co.
