The Deputy Minister of Communications Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams hands over more cyberlabs in Cala, Libode and Ngqeleni
As part of the back-to-schools campaign and in achievement of its schools connectivity objective, the Department of Communications (DoC) has provided learners in the rural communities of Cala, Libode and Ngqeleni with a cyberlab and tablets which will see the students having access to electronic information and learning material. These were handed over by the Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
The cyberlab at Jentile Senior Secondary School in Cala, which was officially opened by the Deputy Minister on 23 January 2014, is equipped with 22 computers, two-year free internet connectivity, a printer, overhead projector with screen, air-conditioner and classroom furniture which includes tables and chairs.
Speaking to the learners, educators and the community, the Deputy Minister encouraged the learners to effectively utilise these educational tools. "This cyberlab will ensure that learners not only have access to computers, but are able to access important learning material and liaise with learners from other schools,” she said. The cyberlab was provided by DoC portfolio organisation, Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA).
On 24 January 2014, the Deputy Minister of Communications, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape, further handed over tablets to St. Patrick’s High School in Libode and Sandi Senior Secondary School in Ngqeleni. Each school received 30 tablets which were sponsored by 30 Huawei with IT Master providing the two-year free internet connectivity.
This intervention was well received by the educators, learners and parents who expressed that these communication tools will vastly improve the learners learning experience and inescapably lead to improved results. These two schools were amongst the best performing schools in the province, respectively achieving a 98.9% and 96% matriculation pass rate in 2013.
To-date, the Department of Communications and its partners have installed over 1 200 cyberlabs in public schools across the country.
