Government has denied reports saying the schools that the Gauteng Online Schools Programme (GOSP) has yet to be rolled out to will receive tablets.
Media reports today said learners and teachers at the outstanding 600-plus schools won't receive computer labs, as has been the aim of the project, but will rather receive personal tablets.
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 (GDF), which heads the programme, said in August that 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 Computer on Wheels (COW) solution.” COW is a mobile lab solution.
Speculation reported
The reports say the tablets will have WiFi connectivity and in event of one being stolen, it will still be connected online so the location can be remotely traced. In addition, it is reported that the tablets will remain at the schools in lockers.
However, GDF spokesperson John Sukazi says the information reported is mere speculation.
“We are still working on the details of the project. We don't know yet if it's going to be tablets. We don't know where they got the information from.”
He adds that an announcement will be made once details for phase two of the project have been decided on.
Internal audit
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,” said DA Gauteng education spokesperson Khume Ramulifho.
He added that the GDF 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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