Question No. 1886
Ms MR Shinn (Democratic Alliance) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
1. How many teachers in each province have applied for the allowance enabling them to buy laptop computers in terms of teacher laptop initiative that was to be phased in from 1 July 2009?
2. Whether the arrangement between the South African Democratic Teachers Union
(SADTU) and the computer supplier Rectron is still in place to provide these computers; if not,
3. Whether (a) teachers are sourcing their own laptops and (b) a preferred supplier has been appointed; if not, who is the supplier; if so, what are relevant details?
4. Whether these laptops are being supplied at a subsidised rate; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?
5. (a) What is the total cost to each teacher for buying a laptop and relevant software installation, training and support and network connection, (b) how much of this will be covered by the monthly allowance, (c) who will be responsible for the payment of a shortfall, (d) what educational (i) applications and (ii) administration applications will be installed on the laptops,(e) from where are these being sourced and (f) at what cost to (i) her department and (ii) teachers?
Reply:
1. Provincial Education departments are at different stages of preparation for implementation. At this stage there is no indication of the numbers that have applied for the allowance.
2. The department will not be able to comment as the arrangement in question is between the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and the computer supplier Rectron.
3. (a) The approach in terms of the policy is that individual educators will source their own information communication technology package, which complies with stipulated minimum requirements, from any reputable supplier and thereafter apply for the allowance.
(b) Therefore the department will not engage in any procurement on behalf of educators.
4. The department will pay a fixed monthly allowance to eligible and qualifying educators to subsidise the cost of the information communication technology package over a period of five years.
5. (a) The estimated average cost including hardware, software, insurance, network connection, considering the minimum specifications, is R11 750 working out to approximately R195 per month.
(b) The monthly allowance will cover R130 for a period of five years
(c) The educator will cover the shortfall. It should be noted that this is only an indicative cost as the actual cost will depend on the deal that individual educators or groups enter into with suppliers.
(d) (i) National curriculum materials that will include the national curriculum statements, learning programme guidelines, subject, assessment guidelines, teacher training manuals and teacher guidelines, teacher development materials developed by Microsoft for the department the Microsoft Digital Literacy and modules of Microsoft Partners in Learning and (ii) the South African school administration and management system administrative package.
(e) The department is seeking to engage with Microsoft to extend the existing school level arrangements to make available the resources for educators and (f) at low or no cost to (i) the department and (ii) to teachers.
Source: Department of Education
