Inadequate school IT resources limit learners` interaction with computers until they are in grade 10, says Thandeka Tyatyantsi, Cape IT Initiative (CITI) project manager.
Initiatives to grab children`s attention before this level are needed, she adds.
Tyatyantsi was commenting on the results of the second Youth in IT Competition run by CITI as part of an initiative to encourage learners to take up a career in IT. The competition was organised together with the Western Cape education department and its Khanya Project, which aims to promote the use of IT in education.
"Due to scarce resources, many learners only interact with computers from grade 10 level, just two years before they finish school," Tyatyantsi says. "Primary schools are not equipped to teach computer literacy skills from an early age, but that is where the need is the greatest."
Two grade nine learners from George and Oval North High Schools were named winners of the Youth in IT competition, run by CITI.
Sarah Lee van Niekerk of George High School and Michael Tshaka of Oval North High School in Mitchell`s Plain were named overall winners in the competition after having answered all the questions in an entry form correctly.
Competition organisers received about 700 student entries from 30 schools in the Western Cape and the Overberg.
CITI also named Mondale High School as the winning school, for having submitted the most number of entries, and it will receive one-year Internet connectivity.
Mlungiseleli Magodla of Chris Hani won a Microsoft course from Kim Palmer of On The Ball Computer Training Centre. He will undergo an aptitude test to determine his computer literacy levels and will receive a course according to his competency in Microsoft.
Cornastone Consulting, Khanya Project, Western Cape Education Department, Good Hope FM, UniNet, SITA and Apple IMC sponsor the initiative.
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