The failed internet installation at South African schools project Gauteng Online will be given a second chance for completion after the five year tender expiry date occurred three months ago with some schools still waiting and others’ facilities inoperative.
Originally planned to equip 2,200 schools in the South African province of Gauteng, 548 schools have yet to receive installations.
The initial deadline to complete the project was December 2012, but a date of January 18 was set for another tender to complete it.
However, Mandla Nkomfe, Gauteng finance minister, announced yesterday (Tuesday) the department was reviewing the project and plan to “incorporate a comprehensive e-learning aspect which was not part of the existing scope and merge the programme on the Gauteng Broadband Network once it has been built”.
HumanIPO reported earlier this month the Gauteng Broadband Network was set to receive a further ZAR15 million (US$1.8 million) of funding over the next three years.
Various complaints were issued about the latest tender process, including the timing of just one month, and it was suggested it had been designed to help previous tender holders Cloudseed.
The concern was also raised that computers installed by Cloudseed would have to be replaced should another company win the tender.
Schools who gained the facilities commented on the poor replacement service of broken or stolen equipment.
Matakanye Matakanye, spokesman for the National School Governing Body, told the Mail & Guardian in February: “ We call the project Gauteng Offline”.
The Gauteng Online project was initially suggested by former premier Mbhazima Shilowe with the aim to promote education for pupils by supplying every government school in the province with free internet connection and an email address.
