Date: 16/07/2003
Source: Ministry of Education
Title: Asmal: Introducing Nelson Mandela at launch of Mindset Network
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROFESSOR KADER ASMAL, MP, INTRODUCING THE GUEST OF HONOUR, HIS EXCELLENCY DR NELSON MANDELA, AT THE LAUNCH OF MINDSET NETWORK, 16 July 2003
Director of Ceremonies
Guest of honour, His Excellency, Dr Nelson Mandela
Representatives of the founding partners of Mindset
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great honour and privilege to be part of the launch of this momentous and groundbreaking initiative. It is a great privilege for me to share with you my passion on an issue that holds so much hope for the development of our country and our continent as information and communication technology (ICT) is.
Education systems the world over have an obligation to deliver on the nation states' and public expectations for the delivery of quality education for economic growth and social development. Quality improvement and the enhancement of excellence are often perceived to be antithetical to increased access equity and redress. In the context of developing countries in particular, efforts to achieve the former are thwarted by among others fiscal constraints, spatial barriers and other capacity related limitations to delivery. As demonstrated in various contexts, ICT has the potential and capacity to overcome most of these barriers.
Like most parts of the world, South Africa has to respond to the pressures and challenges posed by the information revolution. It is for this reason that our Government has been quick to seize the opportunity of working towards the achievement of the practical benefits of digital technology. ICT is the future and indeed the key to 21st century teaching and learning.
No longer can South Africa and the rest of the continent be uncritical recipients of technology from the developed world. The developing world must strike a balance between the importation of appropriate resources, the development of its own capacity, and the exportation of its intellectual capital. This initiative has the potential, for not only being a pathfinder in the development of digital content, but also an exporter of South African content to the rest of Africa and the world.
In our country, we have a strong commitment to ICT in education. Bringing ICT connectivity to our schools and education institutions will and must happen. It is a task that will occur alongside the provision of basic educational infrastructure.
We should be reminded that ICT connectivity is not about how many computers are in schools, but how teachers and learners use various technologies to achieve educational goals and improve their teaching and learning experiences. In order to achieve this goal, we have to get our priorities right. Firstly we should focus on the professional development of teachers to utilise ICT appropriately for teaching and learning. Teachers will remain central in the process of mediating the learning process and I hope that this initiative will provide ongoing professional support to our teachers. Further, emphasis should be placed on the provision of relevant, high quality content resources. I am therefore excited that Mindset has taken up the challenge to address the need for the provision of relevant educational content that drives the use of ICT in teaching and learning.
What is most pleasing about this initiative is its collaborative nature between government and the private sector. To integrate ICT successfully in education, we need to take hands and work together in the true spirit of Tirisano. Only through a demonstrated unity of purpose, commitment and dedication shall we make the most significant and sustainable impact on teaching and learning.
This initiative will not only benefit teachers and learners in South Africa, but it will contribute to education and training across the Southern African region. Through this initiative we are making a significant contribution towards the renewal and regeneration of the African continent.
I hope that schools already participating in Mindset will lead in the creation of South African solutions for the effective integration of ICT into learning and teaching. We need learners and teachers that utilise ICT in creative ways to enhance teaching and learning. We also need strong leadership and the willingness to take hands and share experiences and expertise.
We are proud to be honoured by the leadership of former President Nelson Mandela in launching this initiative. This initiative has the potential to become the flagship of digital content provision in South Africa, and with Dr Mandela raising the first sails; we can sail and conquer the world.
I am honoured and privileged to call upon Dr Mandela to officially launch Mindset.
I thank you.
Siya bonga.
Issued by Ministry of Education
16 July 2003
Source: Ministry of Education
Title: Asmal: Introducing Nelson Mandela at launch of Mindset Network
SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROFESSOR KADER ASMAL, MP, INTRODUCING THE GUEST OF HONOUR, HIS EXCELLENCY DR NELSON MANDELA, AT THE LAUNCH OF MINDSET NETWORK, 16 July 2003
Director of Ceremonies
Guest of honour, His Excellency, Dr Nelson Mandela
Representatives of the founding partners of Mindset
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great honour and privilege to be part of the launch of this momentous and groundbreaking initiative. It is a great privilege for me to share with you my passion on an issue that holds so much hope for the development of our country and our continent as information and communication technology (ICT) is.
Education systems the world over have an obligation to deliver on the nation states' and public expectations for the delivery of quality education for economic growth and social development. Quality improvement and the enhancement of excellence are often perceived to be antithetical to increased access equity and redress. In the context of developing countries in particular, efforts to achieve the former are thwarted by among others fiscal constraints, spatial barriers and other capacity related limitations to delivery. As demonstrated in various contexts, ICT has the potential and capacity to overcome most of these barriers.
Like most parts of the world, South Africa has to respond to the pressures and challenges posed by the information revolution. It is for this reason that our Government has been quick to seize the opportunity of working towards the achievement of the practical benefits of digital technology. ICT is the future and indeed the key to 21st century teaching and learning.
No longer can South Africa and the rest of the continent be uncritical recipients of technology from the developed world. The developing world must strike a balance between the importation of appropriate resources, the development of its own capacity, and the exportation of its intellectual capital. This initiative has the potential, for not only being a pathfinder in the development of digital content, but also an exporter of South African content to the rest of Africa and the world.
In our country, we have a strong commitment to ICT in education. Bringing ICT connectivity to our schools and education institutions will and must happen. It is a task that will occur alongside the provision of basic educational infrastructure.
We should be reminded that ICT connectivity is not about how many computers are in schools, but how teachers and learners use various technologies to achieve educational goals and improve their teaching and learning experiences. In order to achieve this goal, we have to get our priorities right. Firstly we should focus on the professional development of teachers to utilise ICT appropriately for teaching and learning. Teachers will remain central in the process of mediating the learning process and I hope that this initiative will provide ongoing professional support to our teachers. Further, emphasis should be placed on the provision of relevant, high quality content resources. I am therefore excited that Mindset has taken up the challenge to address the need for the provision of relevant educational content that drives the use of ICT in teaching and learning.
What is most pleasing about this initiative is its collaborative nature between government and the private sector. To integrate ICT successfully in education, we need to take hands and work together in the true spirit of Tirisano. Only through a demonstrated unity of purpose, commitment and dedication shall we make the most significant and sustainable impact on teaching and learning.
This initiative will not only benefit teachers and learners in South Africa, but it will contribute to education and training across the Southern African region. Through this initiative we are making a significant contribution towards the renewal and regeneration of the African continent.
I hope that schools already participating in Mindset will lead in the creation of South African solutions for the effective integration of ICT into learning and teaching. We need learners and teachers that utilise ICT in creative ways to enhance teaching and learning. We also need strong leadership and the willingness to take hands and share experiences and expertise.
We are proud to be honoured by the leadership of former President Nelson Mandela in launching this initiative. This initiative has the potential to become the flagship of digital content provision in South Africa, and with Dr Mandela raising the first sails; we can sail and conquer the world.
I am honoured and privileged to call upon Dr Mandela to officially launch Mindset.
I thank you.
Siya bonga.
Issued by Ministry of Education
16 July 2003
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