To support online learning endeavours, Internet service provider RocketNet has connected six Western Cape schools to free Internet.
This comes as technology and connectivity have become vital supporting tools within the education sector, as it navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, RocketNet says the schools that received fibre installations include Laerskool Edleen, Vredelust Primary School, Star College Cape Town, Plumstead High School, Radley College and the Centre for Autism Research and Education.
The six schools will receive free access to fibre Internet with speeds of 1 000Mbps on a monthly basis.
According to RocketNet, it has partnered with fibre network operator Vumatel to sponsor each school, adding that access to fibre Internet at the schools will support the administrative and teaching functions.
“It’s so important in this day and age for scholars to have Internet access, yet many of our learners are experiencing obstacles in their educational journeys due to no Internet connection,” says Simon Swanepoel, CEO of RocketNet.
“One of the challenges is the prohibitively high cost of data. We are passionate about empowering consumers and playing a role in the communities in which we operate to provide access to Internet and to help advance ideals, accelerate dreams and improve lives.”
RocketNet notes the pandemic has impacted the school calendar and reduced on-site learning opportunities. However, with high-speed Internet, teachers have been able to work from the school to prepare learning material, facilitate online lessons and communicate with children at home.
Vredelust Primary School principal Ronald Agulhas points out that RocketNet provided the school with fast Internet connectivity, to enable it to take interactive learning to the next level.
“This helps us adequately prepare our learners with up to date content and academic extension programmes so that they can keep up with the ever-changing world that they find themselves a part of, what some are calling the fourth industrial revolution. Our school’s motto is ‘work and build’, and we are proud to do so in partnership with [RocketNet].”
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