School tech initiatives show growth potential

The Cofimvaba Schools District Technology Project, which introduces tablets for teaching and learning in Eastern Cape rural schools, has so far shown the potential to be implemented in other South African provinces.

This is according to Merryl Ford, programme manager for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR's) Tech4Red project, which distributes tablets to teachers and learners.

The CSIR was tasked with project management for the ICT aspect of the project, which is driven by the Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with education officials.

School principals and teachers are regularly engaged for training and consultation as part of the CSIR's broader initiative.

The Cofimvaba project has so far equipped 12 schools with tablets, with another 14 set to come on board this year, and Ford says the experience taken from the initiative will be shared with government.

Insights gained from the project will shed light on how technology could contribute to teaching and learning in rural areas, explains Ford.

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