SOUTH AFRICA'S SCHOOLS 'LAG IN

DIGITAL USE' $-$ STUDY

South African schools lag in ICT integration despite investment, study

finds, recommending budget increases, training, and incentives.

Source The Citizen $|$ Thursday, $25$ January $2024,08$:$25$

NATIONAL NEWS $-$ Although most schools in Africa have embraced the use of information and communication

technology $($ICT$),$ only $60\%$ use the available ICT as a main method of curriculum, with South Africa among

countries lagging behind. This is despite an intensive ICT investment by the government, the world conference

on qualitative research was told yesterday.

Addressing the three$-$day conference ending in Boksburg today on the ICT integration framework to enhance

teaching and learning in schools, professors Mfanelo Ntsobi and Blonde Nyamkure maintained:

There has been limited use, adoption and integration of ICT in education systems of developing

countries.

Despite there being computers in most schools in Africa, less than $60\%$ of these schools use the available

ICT as a main method of curriculum delivery to improve pupil outcomes; and

Although South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria and Tanzania have good ICT infrastructure, the countries

suffered from a slow pace of adoption and integration of ICT in education.

Among far$-$reaching recommendations, the Ntsobi$-$Nyamkure study implored the Department of Basic Education

to speed up the implementation of the new ICT integration framework $"$to improve ICT integration in the

classroom".

"Realistic budgets should be made available for ICT roll$-$out, with professional development prioritised," the

study recommendations said.

$*$Change management should be introduced early in the roll$-$out and there should be incentives for the use of

ICT." Performance monitoring should be factored, with online assessments "formalised to achieve maximum

value",

With school infrastructure targeted by criminals, the study also recommended "appropriate security of ICT

infrastructure and mobile device manapement".

QUESTION $3$

Study the above article titled "South Africa's Schools 'Lag In Digital Use' $-$ Study", and then provide a

detailed analysis as to why the Department of Basic Education's ICT initiative has failed despite its

investment. As part of your analysis ensure to consider key areas such as change management, strategic

planning and security and provide recommendations thereof.