Schools that received donated computers are not putting them to good use and are rather opting for mobile technology, according to Andr'e Roux, technical director of SMS Web.
The majority of South African teachers lack IT training and many schools don't have access to the Internet, Roux said, at the ITWeb Technology Roadmaps Conference 2008, in Bryanston. “Schools realise the role that technology can play, but they are unsure as to what's available out there or how it will address the needs of the school. In addition, schools find it difficult to adapt to the changing environment and don't have reliable access to the Internet.”
Earlier this year, Dimension Data and IBM donated computers to South African schools and many of these schools still have the donated PCs sitting in their boxes, unused in their storerooms, said Roux. “Many teachers don't know how to use computers. Any solution must have a focus on people, process and technology. It's important to offer training to the staff and students.”
To address this challenge, SMS Web partnered with Vodacom to embark on a project for schools to purchase unlimited SMSes for a monthly fee of R150 per school and R25 per parent.
The solution allows schools to contact parents on events such as parent/teacher meetings, school fee enquiries and even a report about the learner. Parents can reply to the SMSes in which SMS Web will route all replies to the school's e-mail address for free. SMS Web also provides training for the school.
“Not all parents have a computer, but they all have a cellphone,” Roux said. “SMS Web provides an immediate school communications solution, which is efficient and accessible to support cost-effective communication from a centralised point. The solution results in 45% cost savings on telephone calls and time saving on administration.”
As an expansion of the business, SMS Web started the Sponsor a School project, which enables businesses to sponsor the unlimited SMS service for a local school.
Schools face tests
“Some of the challenges schools face includes the shortage of connectivity. Some schools still use dial-up. School management is apathetic - when cables get stolen, it can sometimes take months before connectivity is restored again. There's a lot of red tape as schools would need to wait for funding and approval from the Education Department to get connectivity.”
Roux believes 2009 will bring more bandwidth at a cheaper cost, and more schools will get connected to the Internet. “The increased bandwidth that's coming next year will result in schools embracing the Internet more and an increased usage of Web-based applications and shared data in the school environment. I believe schools will be embracing technology more from next year.”
Telecommunications providers are realising the potential and educational value of getting schools connected, he said. Neotel has committed itself to assist 5 000 schools in getting Internet connectivity based on the requirements of the Department of Education.
Some of the schools using the service include the Mosselbay International Academy, Victoria Park High School, Laerskool Nelspruit, Paarl Girls High School and the Hill High School.
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