The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is conducting an ICT infrastructure audit of schools, to ascertain what is needed to facilitate the establishment of a wide area network for the learning institutions.
The Western Cape Education Foundation (WCEF), under the auspices of the WCED, has commissioned the audit.
The WCED and private sector partners jointly established the foundation to build public-private partnerships to support quality education in the Western Cape.
Broadband foundation
The department says the WCEF has commissioned a management consultancy to conduct the survey. It is engaging with principals and schools' IT administrators to assess each institution's IT infrastructure.
“The survey will cover all aspects of information technology used at schools, including current Internet systems.”
Western Cape education MEC Donald Grant says once the audit is complete, the WCED will know the extent of the investment that is required to provide reliable, high-speed Internet connectivity at Western Cape schools.
“It is our view that high-speed broadband connectivity is the foundation on which information technology can be integrated into our schools, making available equitable electronic access to all users, regardless of location.
“This will enable the WCED to improve education through the provisioning of high-quality curriculum material, teaching aids and will assist in providing a vehicle for improved communication and remote technical support.”
Grant adds that, through the WCEF and public-private partnerships, the WCED's goal is to ensure that in the next few years every school in the Western Cape will receive the fastest possible Internet service, either at a significantly reduced cost, or for free.
“Private sector donors will have an important role in helping us achieve these goals,” he says.
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