Education MEC wants tablets for all learners in Mpumalanga
Majuba said the aim is to provide these tablets and laptops and to create virtual online learning classrooms through a credible learner management system.
As the country is slowly migrating to the digital revolution, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, has reiterated that the department’s target is to place a tablet in the hands of every learner and a laptop in the hands of every teacher in the province.
Majuba said the 4IR will have an impact in the near future on the skills programmes relevant to what the economy needs, and these skills would have to be in fields such as artificial intelligence, coding and robotics.
“The investment in e-learning aligns well with the vision and mission of the department. We therefore request that you help to ensure that this programme become a success by protecting the devices and ensuring that they are returned at the end of the year,” he said.
Majuba was speaking at a meeting with the representative council of learners (RCL) at Church on the Hill on Tuesday.
He requested of the members of the RCL to volunteer their time and energy to reawaken the culture of teaching and learning in ways not seen before.
“Our envisioned education dispensation must add great impetus in government’s efforts of breaking the cycle of inequality, marginalisation and poverty. We therefore extend an open invitation to you, the representative council of learners, to join us and close ranks in unison for a common purpose and common good.
We only stand to succeed if we all hold hands and work together, and I am certain that together we stand to succeed,” said Majuba.
Over the past two years, the education sector came to be characterised by unsatisfactory learner performance due to a myriad of issues as well as the effects aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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He said working together with stakeholders, the department overcame the devastating effects of the pandemic, reorganised schools to cover lost ground, operationalised new schools, launched the e-learning programme and successfully integrated the early childhood development programme.
“The department intends to improve the Grade 12 results to 83% this time around. A number of programmes have been put in place by both schools and the department. As of next week, there will be winter classes scheduled to support the Class of 2022.
The department will also schedule radio lessons on 15 community radio stations and on Radio Pulpit as another form of support,” said Majuba.
