As part of the ICT in education framework of Operation Phakisa, a total of 54% of the targeted 24 000 public schools have been connected to the Internet.
This is according to a statement from the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).
Operation Phakisa, which means to hurry up, is a government initiative that aims to improve performance and fast-track implementation of solutions in various sectors.
The ICT in education part of the programme was introduced by president Jacob Zuma in October 2015, and aims to transform teaching and learning through the appropriate use of modern technologies.
According to deputy minister in the presidency Buti Manamela, the presidency has been monitoring progress on the implementation of ICT by the Department of Basic Education since Operation Phakisa was first initiated.
"What is most pleasing is the way in which different government entities and the private sector have come together to invest in ICT in education," he said.
The connectivity aspect of Operation Phakisa ensures each school receives a mobile trolley with devices, which includes 24 tablets for learners, three laptops for teachers, two printers, one overhead projector, a server and a wireless access point, according to the DPME statement.
In terms of devices, progress is monitored against the Universal Services Access Obligation project, which compels the four network operators ? Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Neotel ? to connect schools and provide them with end-user devices, it added.
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