The MultiChoice Africa Foundation (MCAF) and the Mpumalanga Department of Education have signed a partnership that they say will benefit hundreds of schools in the province.
The partnership is aimed at providing state-of-the-art computer-based teacher training.
Information and communications technology was introduced to teacher training in the province and has mushroomed into centres where teachers from over 660 schools train in outcomes-based education (OBE) methods.
Educators from throughout the province undergo 24 weeks of training four times a week in the afternoons and some also train during school holidays.
Craig Padayachee, MEC for the Mpumalanga Department of Education, says the initiative will help teachers to conduct lessons in line with the OBE plan.
"The development of digital technologies and communication networks in the 1990s has ushered in an era in which geography, borders and time no longer pose significant obstacles in our effort to be of service to the people of this country. This initiative aims at providing sustainable and productive content that will assist in conducting lessons for educators in line with OBE."
In terms of the agreement, MCAF will make available its content on OBE methodology for foundation, intermediate and senior phases; make available the maths and science content for Grades 10,11 and 12; make available any multimedia content it has developed; train the department`s officials on the use of the multimedia content; and train technicians recruited and identified by the department. The department will manage the programme.
"It is the collective power and expertise of government, business and non-governmental organisations and international expertise that will ultimately address the development challenges facing our country," says Lebogang Hashatse, MultiChoice Africa`s GM of corporate affairs.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education strongly supports the role of ICT in education and last year provided more than 500 computers to needy schools and plans to purchase 774 computers for this financial year, says Padayachee.
"The intention is to ensure that all schools with electricity have at least a computer. With this initiative I feel relieved that most of the stressful management and administrative tasks will be a closed chapter. This calls for us not only to view the computer as a learning tool, but also as management and administrative tool as well as a labour saving and communication device. Schools will be able to implement computer programs aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness in teaching, administration and management."
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