The level of partnerships forged by the DBE during various levels of the Covid-19 lockdown, have made it possible for learners to proceed with schooling through various online platforms. Ms Elspeth Khembo, Director for Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST), Curriculum Innovation and E-Learning, mentioned that the DBE, in partnership with the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), implemented various intervention strategies in response to the challenges around Covid-19 for the sustainability of the 2020 academic year.
“To comply with the protocols of social distancing, the DBE embraced e-Education as a resource for reorganising schooling. Online learning was employed as a medium for remote learning,” said Ms Khembo. “In addition, the DBE, in collaboration with the Department of Communications and Digital Technology (DCDT), has facilitated the zero-rating of 365 educational websites to enable learners to access educational content resources at no cost. Other online support programmes were initiated for learners, teachers, parents and education officials to ensure the continuation of learning during the Covid-19 lockdown.”
These online support programmes include the DBE website at https://www.education.gov.za, which provides links for access to online content resources for parents, caregivers and learners to support learning at home. The online content was also retrieved from (http://dbecontent.bhelela.com). This is an online portal developed by the DBE in partnership with the Bhelela partnership, which provides access to state-owned content resources such as electronic e-textbooks; teacher guides; study guides; e-workbooks in PDF; ePubs and HTML formats, as well as other Open Education Resources (OER) such as PhET simulations; Apps; storybooks; encyclopaedia; and Khan Academy videos.
“Learners also access online content through the MTN Foundation and the Siyavula Foundation Online High School Mathematics and Science Practice Platform at www.siyavula.com or the Siyavula App at no cost. The DBE also partnered with FyboTech, Africa Teen Geeks, Bhelela and 2Enable to offer live lessons through virtual classrooms.
Ms Khembo further applauded the DBE and its various partners for introducing the WOZA Matrics 2020 Catch Up Programme, which was officially launched by Minister Motshekga recently. The programme is helping Grade 12 learners to catch up on their studies nationwide through classes which are broadcast on TV Channels such as SABC 3, OVHD, DSTV and e-TV, radio stations and online platforms.