The Department of Communications' (DOC's) drive to improve ICT access will continue this weekend, as it unveils a computer lab at a KwaZulu-Natal school.
Communications minister Yunus Carrim will present 30 computers to Matshitholo High School, in Melmoth, while three other schools in the Ulundi Local Municipality have also opened labs this year, according to the DOC.
The Matshitholo High School computers were donated by Sentech and will have Internet access.
According to the DOC, 1 427 schools across the country have been connected since the department started prioritising ICT access for learners.
Carrim revealed the DOC's progress in a report to Parliament this week, saying the department has delivered on most of its targets and acknowledged more work is needed.
Industry observers and analysts noted the minister had broken the inertia which has plagued the department over the last decade by publishing policies, filling vacant positions and connecting schools.
Broadband policy targets
Carrim prioritised technology in SA's schools in the broadband policy document published in December last year, when he noted e-readiness as important for the development of the country's ICT sector.
Government has set a target of 50% of SA's schools to have Internet access by 2016.
The broadband policy notes the figure is "derived from consideration of existing baselines and benchmarking against the kind of targets being set in other countries".
The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA unveiled a school cyberlab in Mpumalanga last month and noted 14 more will be opened across the province this year.
Share