The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has withdrawn its decision to standardise software for ICT teaching in South African high schools next year.
In September's circular S9, the department said Microsoft Office would be used to implement the computer applications technology (CAT) curriculum and National Senior Certificate examinations.
Delphi was chosen as the programming language for the curriculum. The decision drew widespread criticism from the ICT industry for its lack of accessibility and diversion from government's open source policy.
A new DBE circular withdraws S9 with immediate effect and will maintain the status quo "after considering management and policy-related matters, as well as concerns expressed by several education stakeholders".
Wake-up call
The move was commended by the Cape Chamber of Commerce as a step in the right direction. Roderick Lim Banda, chairman of the chamber's Digital Portfolio Committee, says: "The consensus and such a unified voice from a wide set of stakeholders representing businesses, professionals, teachers, parents and students is a positive sign of our recognition that software skills in education is a critical issue."
A statement from the chamber sees the decision as a "wake-up call for industry on the gap between education and the demand for skills to grow our knowledge economy".
The DBE reviewed various concerns and the way forward "requires involvement from businesses, non-profit organisations and society as a whole", the statement adds.
ICT commentator Adrian Schofield says the withdrawal of the circular shows the DBE listened to a considerable amount of opinion and looks forward to similar collaboration.
"I hope the review that will follow on curriculum for CAT and IT will include the same stakeholders who were not given the opportunity to respond prior to issuing of the first circular.
"Understandably, there are challenges faced by the department in delivering content for pupils, but the contribution of technology to the country is so critical that there needs to be more than just educators giving their input into the process," he says.
"We commend the government for listening to business and we hope this opens the door for better collaboration in future," Lim Banda says. "This has provided an opportunity to the private sector to commit ourselves to improving the vital system of education that our children and the country deserve."
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