The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

I am delighted that today we are delivering the first of over 1 500 Computer tablets to school principals across the Western Cape.

In March this year during my budget speech, I made the commitment to our school principals that by the end of the year they would receive a tablet personal computers (PC).

My announcement read as follows:

“To further our commitment to working smarter and expanding access to leading technology in the province, I am delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative that will see each school principal in this province receive a PC tablet. These tablets – which will be delivered later in the year – will improve the way in which we communicate with and provide support to our principals. This Government values the work that our principals do to improve education outcomes in the province and it is our hope that the provision of these tablets will help them work smarter.”

Today, I am delighted to be delivering on this commitment. 1 529 Titan ME 10” Android tablets with A9 Cortex dual core processors will be delivered to principals across the province. The device has 3G and wireless network capability and is preloaded with typical applications such as email, sound recorder, video player, navigation, maps, and an e-book reader. 

In addition applications such as Skype, Kingsoft Office, Adobe Reader and WhatsApp have been downloaded to assist principals in maximising their opportunities for communication between Western Cape Education Department (WCED) officials and themselves, as well as to create professional learning communities.

Additional Apps will be made available by the WCED in future and others can be downloaded by the principals themselves.

The tablet can also be used as a tool for organising and recording meetings, reading and writing and for presentations.

I am confident that these new computer tablets will improve communication between our schools and the Department so that we can, together, more effectively ensure that our learners receive the quality of education they deserve.