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The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education together with the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services received a progress report on schools connectivity (ICT) and broadband from the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services and its entities, as well as network operators.

The issue of schools connectivity and broadband is central to the government’s efforts to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning. The National Broadband Policy (SA Connect) provides a framework for the provision of broadband connectivity to schools. In terms of this policy, all schools should have access to broadband at a speed of 10 Megabytes per second by 2020.

The Committees took note of the strides being made to achieve universal access, affordability and coverage through harnessing the capabilities and resources of both the public and private sectors, together with civil society. Phase 1 connectivity initiatives include schools, including Dinaledi schools, that have been connected as part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Project, as well as those connected through the Network Operators as per their license obligations. The Committees are pleased that teacher centres, which are crucial for advancing the skills repertoire of teachers, are also being connected and resourced through partnerships with network operators.

The departments highlighted that work was underway for the connectivity of schools earmarked for 2014 to 2016 to reach a target of 50 per cent access to internet connection by 2016, in line with the National Broadband Policy.

The Committees have also noted the challenges and gaps, which relevant role players need to respond to in planning and accelerating the provision of school connectivity. These include that despite the expressed intention for an integrated approach there is still much fragmentation and little coordination amongst stakeholders.

The Committees have appealed to the stakeholders for stronger coordination, integration and monitoring, including ensuring that schools are connected as per approved specifications.

The Committees will continue to offer their support to the sector as well as to intensify oversight over the resolution of areas of weakness. We also invite more South Africans to join hands and participate in supporting school connectivity to ensure the achievement of the set target of universal access and coverage by 2020. South Africa also needs to catch up with countries such as South Korea, where all schools have access to internet and where hard copy textbooks will be phased out by 2016.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES