The General Secretary of the ELRC – Mr Govender
Members of Provincial Executive Councils
Heads of Provincial Education Departments
Leaders of Organised Labour
Business Partners
Principals, HODs and teachers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
The world-class technology that we provided for the 2010 FIFA World Cup should serve as a motivation for us as we set out on this long process of enhancing teaching and learning through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Today’s gathering therefore marks the start of a historic process that will help us fulfil the main objective of our Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign, which is to improve the quality of education in public schools.
The Teacher Laptop Initiative forms part of the Department of Basic Education’s strategy to improve the use of information and communications technology in the public education sector. It aims to ensure that every teacher in the public education sector owns and uses a laptop to enhance teaching and learning efficiencies in the classroom.
The Teacher Laptop Initiative not only makes provision for the integration of rich and diverse resources in the classroom, but also ensures that all teachers benefit.
A TLI Training and Development Committee was established to plan and manage the implementation of teacher professional development in support of the effective use of the teacher laptops. This team comprises the Department of Basic Education, the combined teacher unions, the Education Labour Relation Council and strategic partners from the corporate sector.
Most importantly, this initiative will help us to achieve the following:
An interactive dynamic environment for communication;
The creation of opportunities for integrating ICT in the curriculum;
Providing an appropriate and efficient platform for preparation of lessons, tasks and tests; and
Reducing the administrative burden of teachers.
We have located our work in this area in the broader context of what we are trying to achieve as an emerging united African state whose affairs are conducted inevitably on the world stage.
We are conscious of the fact that we live in a time of rapid technological advancement and change. We therefore believe it to be imperative for democratic South Africa always to stand prepared to meet and ride on the back of formidable challenges posed by the exciting and ever-changing information age.
Those who have followed developments in our field of work since we came to power in 1994, would have noted the volume of work that has emerged in the area of ICT and e-Education. Milestones in this regard include the launch of the Technology Enhanced Learning Initiatives.
Of note is also the strategy for Information and Communication Technology in Education formulated jointly by the Department of Education and the sister Department of Communications, in 2001. That strategy laid the foundation for the e-Education White Paper which was adopted in 2004.
In keeping with the e-Education policy, we strive to transform our learning environments into e-schools that have access to ICT resources supportive of curriculum delivery and competent teachers who use ICT creatively to enhance classroom practice and to improve planning, management and administration.
It is in this context that we cannot postpone any further the roll-out of laptops to our anxious teachers waiting out there with bated breath and impatient fingertips itching to dance to the melody of the humming keyboard.
Be rest assured that we have started this important work in earnest fortified by the unflinching commitment displayed by key stakeholders who share our view that education is and must always be treated as a societal responsibility.
We have provided the necessary norms and standards for the initiative. Our educators have to make it work.
The ICT packages for teachers will consist of laptops with prescribed minimum specifications, school administration, national curriculum and other software, as well as Internet connectivity, insurance, and finance, as per requirements of Government Gazette 32207.
We must emphasise the fact that to qualify as accredited providers, the suppliers participating in this initiative were expected to meet stringent requirements as well as clearly defined criteria as determined by the relevant ELRC Task Team.
Our heartfelt thanks to the Education Labour Relations Council for the brilliant coordination and management of the initiative. We are grateful that the ELRC together with combined teachers unions and the consortium members as well as our strategic partners have made this rollout launch possible.
We are thankful beyond words for the relentless dedication you have all extended to this vital quest for quality education for all children in the public education sector.
With this type of work, we have no reason to fall short of meeting the goals of the UN-led Education for All campaign and the Millennium Development Goals on education.
From today, going forward, together we can make ICT integration in public schools across the country a reality, in the best interest of our young people!
I thank you.
