Internet access for all schools
On the 30 March 2013 the Right2Know Campaign responded to the Department of Education’s Draft Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure.
In our submission we note that internet connectivity can enable learners to have access to vast information and knowledge published online. Beyond the immediate educational value of internet access, the skills acquired to access the internet will equip South Africa’s youth with the skills to access information, and publish their own content. This will in turn enable them to realise their Constitutional rights to access information and free expression.
Despite these opportunities the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in May 2011 reported that of the 24 793 public ordinary schools 19 037 schools do not have a computer centre, while a further 3267 have a room designated as a computer centre but are not stocked with computers
The current Draft Regulations only stipulates: “Where reasonably applicable, a school should be provided with some form of connectivity for purposes of communication” (Section 4 (6)). This statement is as good as meaningless. It is unclear and allows space for broad interpretation and inaction.
We call for every school in South Africa must have an internet connection irrespectively of their location or their size. Every school must have a functioning computer laboratory and at least one teacher qualified to train basic computer literacy and manage the computer laboratory. The vague notion of “some form of connectivity” should be removed and replaced with a commitment to ensure “broadband or equivalent” connectivity in every school. Finally the final Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure must include specific targets and timeframes for meeting these requirements.
Read the full R2K Submission on Norms & Standards for School Infrastructure.
