Despite a poor performances last year and funding troubles, the Department of Basic Education says it is confident its Dinaledi schools will exceed performance targets this year.
According to its 2008 performance report, 54 schools had fewer than 20 maths passes and science passes fell below 2008 targets. Another 33 were selected for new development efforts.
The 500 schools, which are specifically identified by the Department of Education to teach mathematics and science, were required to achieve at least 20%, or 10 000 of the national target of 50 000 learners passing high level maths and science.
The Dinaledi schools form part of an initiative by the department to improve the maths and science pass rates in the country, produce over 50 000 passes on higher grade in 2009, and ultimately increase the number of students entering the engineering and ICT fields.
The schools are also supposed to be connected to a national wireless network by Sentech, connecting them to the Internet and other academic institutions. While the project is set to cost R3.1 billion, only R500 million was allocated for the project.
Basic Education minister, Angie Motshekga previously stated that despite limited access to technology, the schools would increase maths and science graduates in the schools. The department added it would continue to support the National Maths, Science and Technology strategy through the Dinaledi schools and the recapitalisation of technology schools across the country
Economic restraints
The department notes that the upgrading and development of ICT in the schools is important, but the Dinaledi schools had not received adequate support in the past. Sentech previously announced it had decided not to roll out the National Wireless Backbone Network (NWBN) to connect Dinaledi schools until it was certain of the full funding it needs.
While Sentech is yet to connect these schools, the department says it continued with other ICT plans. The focus for the 500 schools in 2008 was on the improvement of infrastructure and creating a better learning environment, and this should improve 2009 performance results, the department says.
As part of its 2009 project plans, all Dinaledi schools were set to receive software packages, and resources and materials for its online portal - Thutong. The department also entered into a partnership with Mindset Learning and Intel to expand ICT in Dinaledi schools.
“We are confident that this year's results will improve. Our efforts to improve access and infrastructure over the past two years will pay off, despite economic restraints”, says the department.
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