The Telkom Connecting Schools Project has recently connected teachers from six different schools in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa to the Internet.
The Telkom Foundation handed over 303 tablets to school teachers in Mpumalanga today (Tuesday) and will provide Internet connectivity as well as tablet maintenance for two years.
The part state-owned telecommunications company will also provide training to enable teachers to successfully navigate the device and access content.
The reason for Telkom’s innovation to provide the six schools with Internet accessibility through technological devices rather than through fixed line services is due to terrestrial connectivity challenges, especially in terms of poor or lacking infrastructure.
“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,” said Sarah Mthintso, head of the Telkom Foundation.
Mthintso added that modern ways of disseminating and receiving education has caused a notable increase in learner performance.
She added: “Learners themselves will access ICT tools which will help them when they go to tertiary institutions and make them competent in the work environment.”
Previously, Telkom gave 130 tablets equipped with free Internet connectivity to Western Cape schools in September.
The tablets are also loaded with official Department of Education workbooks and content that relates to mathematics, languages, literacy, life skills and numeracy spanning various grades and languages.
“Telkom is committed to supporting government and assisting it in meeting its developmental objectives, especially in relation to ICTs. It is against this background that Telkom initiated the project aimed at bridging the digital divide in rural schools,” concluded Mthintso.
