Digital classrooms now targeted by criminals
With only a week after the roll out of the Gauteng Education Department’s wireless classrooms project schools have become targets for criminals to aim at.
KATLEHONG – On Saturday several laptops, desktop computers and smartboards were stolen from Phafogang Secondary School in Rockville, Soweto.
Officials now say a high school in Ekurhuleni was also broken into on the day of the department’s ‘Wired for Life’ launch.
According to a report by Eyewitness News (EWN), “Armed criminals broke into the Kwa-Dukathole Comprehensive School in Katlehong, allegedly searching for the school’s new e-learning infrastructure.”
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It is believed that the Principal Dan Mosena told reporters that the gang stole old computers in the school’s admin block after failing to access smartboards and other new devices.
The principal was quoted to have said, “The new gadgets were not yet available at the school hence they end up having to steal the old computers which were used by administrators.”
While none of the new e-learning material has been stolen the school has lost pupils’ academic records and other vital information.
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In a statement sent to Kathorus MAIL, Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho said, “This particular instance, the criminals made off with two computers and attempted to steal several tablets.
“However, a school in Soweto was robbed of at least R410 000 worth of new equipment and the guards on duty severely assaulted over the weekend.”
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Ramulifho believes that this spike in school robberies aimed at theft of innovative learning and teaching equipment is concerning and disadvantages already under-privileged learners even further.
“The DA supports the introduction of technology in our schools; however, the programme must be sustainable,” Ramulifho said in a statement.
He further stated, “The DA has raised this concern with Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi and has urged the department to forge strong relationships with law enforcement agencies.”
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