The Gauteng Online Schools Programme (GOSP) has adopted the Computer on Wheels (COW) mobile lab solution to connect the remaining schools in the province.
GOSP is a provincial government initiative to construct a province-wide schools' computer network by installing a computer facility in every public school.
The Gauteng Department of Finance, which heads the programme, says to date 1 557 schools have been equipped with standardised laboratories. This formed part of the phase one implementation of the project.
“The remaining 630 schools that are part of the second phase of the project will be completed through the alternative design of the COW solution.”
Flagship project
The department emphasises that the rollout of the GOSP is progressing as planned; and with the recent approval to implement the COW solution, both itself and the Gauteng Department of Education are confident the project will be completed by the set timelines.
“Both departments continue to have weekly project committee meetings, which were establish to set governance structures in place to allow all stakeholders to engage on project operational matters. This was done to enhance efficiencies in the implementation of the project, with the most recent meeting held where parties were represented and made aware of the significant progress that has been achieved in implementing this project.”
The department says GOSP is one of its flagship ICT projects. “It was designed not only to provide computer literacy, but to support the implementation of one of the key strategic outcomes of the province, the delivery of 'quality basic education'.”
The project does this by creating a sustainable e-learning environment in public schools so learners can maximise their potential.
Statistics indicate that more than 700 000 learners and 38 000 educators use the GOSP network every day, according to the department.
Ineffective implementation
The project previously faced challenges and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng in May called for the termination of the Gauteng Online contract with the SMMT Telematics Consortium that was appointed as the service provider in December 2007.
“This project has been characterised by poor management and non-adherence to the service level agreement. The DA is extremely concerned that consideration is now being given to renewing this contract, which is due to end in December,” says DA Gauteng education spokesperson Khume Ramulifho.
Ramulifho adds that the Gauteng Department of Finance conducted an internal audit and concluded that the Gauteng Online primary objectives have not been achieved, schools are not able to effectively implement a technology-enabled learning environment, learners are deprived of opportunities to develop, the IT infrastructure in schools is under-utilised, and schools and the department are not getting value for money in respect of the project.
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