GDE to install 88 000 tablets with additional security features

SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi last week announced that his department will retrieve 88 000 tablets from schools to install additional security features (eg, tracking devices) before returning them to the schools. This will be done because of the rampant theft of these devices.
In a statement, Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane says that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has noted with concern media reports suggesting that the department will completely withdraw the 88 000 tablets distributed to schools as part of the e-Learning Solution Programme, as a result of these tablets being stolen from schools.
“This is incorrect. The Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi has stated that the department would retrieve these tablets from schools to install additional security features such as tracking devices and they will be returned to these schools,” says Sekhonyana.
Since the distribution of the 88 000 tablets, over 3000 have been stolen.
This prompted the MEC to temporarily retrieve them for the installation of additional security features.
Of the approximately 6 200 tablets, with tracking devices deployed to the 7 schools this year, so far 11 tablets have been stolen/ lost and 5 were subsequently recovered.
Six tablets have not been switched on since they went missing and as a result, have not been recovered.
Sekhonya ends by saying that the department is committed to implementing the paperless classroom project and nothing will stop their quest or derail their efforts of giving the learners of Gauteng the best possible education in our lifetime.