Dimension Data's e-learning programme has had a 100% pass rate since its inception in 1995.
It has been rolled out to 52 schools, which Dimension Data partners with nationwide, and more than 27 500 learners have benefited from it. Originally, Gauteng had only two centres that offered the programme and could accommodate a very limited number of learners. However, in 2006, a cycle of programmes was rolled out to 14 other schools in the province, for more impact and easy access by learners.
The programme offers teaching in subjects such as mathematics, physical science, English, accounting and life science. The Department of Basic Education endorses all e-learning content. The programme is offered to Grades 10, 11 and 12 learners and is designed to supplement conventional teaching methods.
It aims to boost the pass rates of partner schools. Learners get the chance to interact with teachers and are able to focus more on class activities by doing research on their mobile phones to find solutions and challenge the teachers, who become learning facilitators.
Each school is equipped with five e-learning trolleys that use wireless technology and contain a computer, projector, DVD player, wireless router and amplified speakers. Each school also has a central server situated on-campus and technicians are contracted by Dimension Data to provide technical support.
A total of 3 000 teachers have been trained across the partner schools. The system allows teachers to print out workbooks for in-class activities. They are given unique login details to access content loaded onto the system.
Connie Mphafudi, deputy principal at Tiisetsong Secondary School, says learners have become more focused and inquisitive, and want to do research when they don't understand or disagree with something. However, she hopes the system will be upgraded soon, so that they are able to access Internet from the e-trolley and do more research.
The Saturday school project enrols 50 learners, who are selected according to their potential and discipline, from the partner schools. Grade 11 learners are enrolled for an international computer driver's licence, which comes with certification after completion, in which they acquire basic knowledge in computer systems programming.
According to Sibusiso Buthelezi, GM, BEE Compliance, Dimension Data Middle East and Africa: “The national e-learning programme is based on the success of the Dimension Data Saturday School and the company's intention to extend the vision of benefiting more underprivileged learners. It is our belief that technology can be used to rapidly improve the quality and effectiveness of education in disadvantaged communities.”
Learners are also exposed to a tertiary environment through the Junior Tukkies Empowerment Programme, which is a partnership programme between Dimension Data and the University of Pretoria. Here, they attend career guidance sessions with the university's qualified psychologists, who evaluate them based on their skills and competencies to see if they are ready to study towards a degree.
At the end of each year, an awards ceremony is held to commemorate the outstanding learners and teachers in the programme. According to Buthelezi, “since the programme was introduced, we have obtained a 100% matric pass rate”. He adds that, in 2011 alone, 68% of learners achieved distinctions and 95% achieved university entrance. Dimension Data's bursary programme is also made available to pre-eminent learners with the most distinctions.
Thabiso Matia, head of Special Projects in the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), mentioned that there is room for improvement and would like more officials to be mobilised. He states that the programme is among the top three initiatives in the GDE and should involve more districts for more impact on the outcome results.
More than 80% of schools in Gauteng are disadvantaged and could benefit from this programme, says Matia, adding that more subjects need to be loaded onto the system and more teachers need to be trained on using the system.
He also thanked Dimension Data for partnering with the department in providing value-added education to the underprivileged. Matia says the matric pass rates in the GDE have since improved after the introduction of e-learning in the province. Gauteng came second to the Western Cape in terms of 2011 matric pass rates, which was a huge improvement by the province, he concluded.
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