South Africa's ICTs for Schools Connectivity: Role, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

1. Schools Connectivity Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services12 September 2014 Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

2. Outline • The DTPS role in schools connectivity • The role of the department in the broadband rollout • E-Education and related policies • Support • Budget, monitoring and evaluation of schools connectivity • Project challenges • Lessons learnt Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

3. The DTPS role in schools connectivity • The role of the DTPS is to ensure that there is a rollout of ICT infrastructure to all government institutions including schools. • The broadband policy (SA Connect) approved in December 2013, paved the way for the broadband implementation in the country. • Based upon this, the DTPS is mandated to ensure uptake and usage of broadband services in the country, e-government, e-education & e-health etc. • The Department is responsible for the coordination & facilitation relating to the implementation of all e-education initiatives in-conjunction with other related education stakeholders. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

4. National line Departments The coordination role of the Department Provinces Municipalities Network Infrastructure Deployment Services Provisioning End-user devices supply Applications development Content development Training provisioning USAASA SOCs Private sector There is significant overlap of roles in the current value chain

5. Schools connectivity policies and engagement • 2004 White Paper on e-Education • informs the schools connectivity concept. • E-Rate • provides for a 50% discount for connectivity to all schools. • Universal Service Obligations (USOs) • makes provision for the connectivity of schools by licensees. • SA Connect policy • provision of broadband connectivity to schools. • E-Connectivity Plan • Outcome of the e-Connectivity Forum which comprises of Deputy Ministers (DTPS, DBE, DPSA, DST, DoH, EDD) • The DTPS is part of the steering committee on schools connectivity comprising of the DBE, DPSA, DST, DoH, EDD. • Defined the schools connectivity model, which outline the minimum specifications for the provision of ICT infrastructure to public schools. • DBE is part of the SA Connect task teams, to provide input on the broadband implementation plan • The DTPS is also a member of the DBE ICT Interprovincial Working Group Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

6. School Connectivity Model • Wide Area Network (WAN) Connectivity • Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity • Wireless Access Points for schools • End User Devices (EUD) • Mobile Classroom Trolley per school • Minimum of 26 Laptops per school with operating system software • 1 Workgroup Server per school • 1 Projector per school • 1 Workgroup Laser Printer per school Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

7. Support & Budget Monitoring • Technical Support • 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy project • A toll-free number has been set up to provide technical support for all the schools. • Equipment warranty • Universal Service Obligations • Licensees will provide initial technical support for 3 months after rollout, thereafter USAASA will take over this responsibility. • Training • Intel provides ICT e-learning training to schools - 2305 teachers have been trained. • Monitoring of budget allocation • Overall monitoring of budget allocation to SOCs, of which schools connectivity form part of their plan. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

8. Monitoring & Evaluation • DBE has commenced the audit of the 2010 Legacy FIFA World Cup project. • DTPS is also conducting a desk top audit of the project rollout to verify the reports received from Telkom. • ICASA will monitor & evaluate the USO rollout, with the DTPS providing the role of coordination. • The impact assessment will be done in-conjunction with DBE • This will, however, be conducted 1 year after project installation, to allow the schools to commence the use of technology. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

9. Project Challenges • The 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy project was a POC, therefore the following highlights some of the factors that affected the rollout: • Inaccurate data (location and contact details not accurate, schools close down or move to another location after installation process) • Inadequate physical infrastructure (lack of power, mud schools) • Poor communication with key stakeholders (technicians turned away as schools were not informed of rollout) • Security - theft of equipment, lack of accountability for assets received • Equipment locked away and not used – too expensive to allow learners to use devices. • Appointments made for installations, however schools don’t honour appointments made. Resulting in technicians revisiting schools 2-3 times in a week. • Schools switch off equipment to minimise power consumption, resulting in a reduced life span of hardware and false alarms to the network monitoring centre. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

10. Lessons Learnt & Way Forward • Schools connectivity should be a holistic solution, centrally coordinated, addressing connectivity, end-user devises, applications, content and training • The approach to connectivity should have a long-term sustainability plan • Coordination of all schools connectivity initiatives by DTPS and DBE is important to avoid duplication. • There is a need for alignment of projects with the DTPS regarding the provision of ICTs to schools. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development

11. The End Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development