DiData opens Delft e-learning centre

By Alex Kayle, Senior portals journalist

Johannesburg, 16 Jul 2009

Dimension Data has opened an e-learning centre in Delft near Cape Town, as part of its long-term goal to reach at least 40 000 disadvantaged learners by 2015.

Sibusiso Buthelezi, GM of the technology company's BEE office, says the e-learning centre concept kicked off in 2006 as an extension of its Saturday School initiative. It's a private initiative supported by Dimension Data, but the company has partnered with the government to provide the learner material to students. The centre is completely run by the local communities and schools.

Long-term learning

Dimension Data plans to spend R1.5 million on making the centre fully functional, which the company says will be in three years' time. This is the second centre in the Western Cape. There are four centres in KwaZulu-Natal, two in Gauteng, and one in the Eastern Cape.

The centre has six classrooms which can take an average of 50 learners, and each room is equipped with projectors, drop-down screens and speakers. Buthelezi adds that the company wants to use the e-learning initiative to equip children with skills that will introduce academia as a long-term value.

Dimension Data expects that learners from five schools in Delft will benefit from the programme, reaching over 300 grade 10 learners. The company expects to facilitate around 1 000 learners in three years' time.

According to Buthelezi, maths and science training is severely lacking in poor areas, and instruction in these subjects is a core focus of the e-learning centre. English and life sciences will also be offered. “The approach is what we call VIKO - Video In, Knowledge Out. Lessons are delivered over the network to the learners to reach many children in a short space of time.”

Buthelezi says Dimension Data chose Delft because it was in serious need of intervention as it faces poverty, drug abuse, teen pregnancy and a high rate of HIV infection.

Dimension Data gives computer training to the teachers coming from the community schools, as well as helping the teachers to plan their lessons.

“It is a substantial challenge which we have set for ourselves, but since the beginnings of this project in Thembisa in 2006, we are seeing that the use of affordable technology can allow for the simultaneous communication of quality content to many learners. It is a project which brings hope to these children and shows them the opportunity to enjoy a better life through learning.”