Subsequent to NetDay`s official day of "connectivity" on 31 October, the final count indicates that nationally, only 2 500 schools out of a total of 28 000 are IT-ready in terms of electricity and telephone lines. Of these, 270 schools are registered with the NetDay organisation.
"Only the full commitment and dedication of the IT industry can change the current status of the schools. , Without it, we cannot expect to operate at an accelerated pace in the future," says Raashida Khan, NetDay co-ordinator.
"The importance of IT efficacy and training at school level cannot be underestimated, " says Khan.
"Entry into the job market today requires basic computer literacy at the very least, while tertiary education often demands technological preparedness for much of the tuition."
Khan adds: "The other important benefit of fundamental computer skills training is the "learning for life" philosophy which advocates teaching `how to learn` rather than learning as an end in itself.
"Access to the Internet opens doors to an enormous wealth of resources and if used effectively has opportunities for teachers and pupils alike. It eliminates the need for libraries and is also far more cost effective in the long term when considering general maintenance, as well as the accuracy of up-to-date information.
"Another invaluable spin off is communication via email. In this way the quality of the delivered lesson can be vastly improved by joint projects, shared ideas and lesson planning, all conducted through cultural exchange via the internet.
"From the outset, we have been aware that the Department of Education can only lend support by way of endorsement. However, the improved quality of education should be within reach of every South African and is one of the goals of Curriculum 2005," Khan says.
"We hope that the support of core partners, Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems, Gemini Consulting and Independent Newspapers will sustain the NetDay effort well into the new year, but without substantial support from the corporate sector, our objectives to assist schools with the provision of hardware and software will remain seemingly over ambitious." Khan concludes.
Interested companies and schools may contact the NetDay offices on Tel: (011) 880 6621 Fax: (011) 880 6469, email info@netday.org.za, or visit the Web site at www.netday.org.za for more information.
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