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Telkom boosts rural e-learning

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 13 Feb 2013

Six Mpumalanga schools facing ICT infrastructure challenges have been given a connectivity boost by the Telkom Foundation's Connecting Schools project.

Yesterday saw the handover of 303 tablet computers to teachers from the Edward Matyeka Primary School, Nelson Ngubeni Primary School, Nancy Shiba Primary School, Besilindile Primary School, Leornard Ntshutshe Secondary School and DM Motsaosele Secondary School.

Alongside the hardware handover, Telkom says the project provides Internet connectivity and tablet maintenance for two years. "As part of the sponsorship, Telkom is also providing teacher training to enable the educators to navigate the device and access content with ease."

Digital age

Telkom notes that the six schools, which face terrestrial connectivity challenges due to the lack of infrastructure, necessitated the use of alternative technology other than-fixed line services.

Telkom Foundation head Sarah Mthintso says Telkom has taken up this initiative to improve teaching through the use of ICT. "The digital revolution has brought enormous benefits for education. These include improved access to information, greater interactivity and enhanced tools for teaching. Connecting schools to this revolution is an effective way to give back to our communities and help propel them into the digital age."

Mthintso says accessing the modern ways of disseminating and receiving education has led to "notable increases" in learner performance. "Learners themselves will access ICT tools which will help them when they go to tertiary institutions and make them competent in the work environment."

Telkom says it is committed to assisting government in ensuring the advantages that come with ICT are afforded to citizens. "The project aids Telkom's mission to provide seamless connectivity that will help South Africans realise their dreams of more productive, rewarding and fulfilling lives."

Ultimately, Mthintso says, the project aims to bridge the digital divide in rural schools.

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