ISPA Encourages ICT in Education

8 October 2008

In a continued drive to boost the computer literacy of South African educators the Internet Service Providers’ Association of SA (ISPA) conducted this year’s third round of computer skills training during the course of last week.

Fifty educators from three schools in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape were the latest recipients of intermediate computer skills training held over five days during the school semester break.

“Information and communications technology (ICT) is an important catalyst for growing the economy. ISPA’s investment in education will ensure that knowledge gaps in the workplace begin to close,” said Jenny King, chairperson of ISPA’s Teacher Training Working Group.

Research commissioned by Dell and the Economist Intelligence Unit revealed that high cost is the foremost obstacle to companies obtaining the technology they need. Insufficient national and local infrastructure was another hindrance to better ICT use. Finally, a lack of adequate technology skills among employees prevented the effective use of ICT.

“With generous support from UniForum SA, the .co.za registry, it has been possible to overcome some of the barriers to ICT use. Greater interest and involvement from businesses will go a long way in benefiting underprivileged communities and ultimately society at large,” added Ms King.

COZA Cares is the social development arm of UniForum SA and is also funded by the organisation. UniForum SA’s partnership with ISPA has witnessed over 1 600 computers donated and over 1 500 educators trained since inception of the teacher training programme in December 2001.

The initiative has proved to be highly successful in more than 80 schools in 5 provinces across the country. Underprivileged communities are already benefiting from using the computers for teaching and learning.

Educators were trained on OpenOffice.org 2 by SETA (Sector Education & Training Authority) accredited facilitators provided by Avuxeni Computer Academy. NetDay Association was responsible for the installation of computers and educational content at the schools targeted for training.

Upon successful completion of the course, educators are presented with certificates as acknowledgement of their achievement and the credits obtained from the training will count towards a National Certificate in IT.

Companies interested in learning more about ISPA’s teacher training initiative and the sponsorship opportunities available may contact the Secretariat using the contact details below or send an e-mail to queries (at) ispa.org.za.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Schools that were trained from Monday, 29 September to Friday, 03 October 2008 include the following:

LIMPOPO

Thokgwaneng Primary School (Host School) – 20 educators

EASTERN CAPE

Coffee Bay Christian School (Host School) – 15 educators

Madakeni Junior Secondary School – 15 educators