by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – A LOT of South African students face significant digital and literacy gaps.
This is evidenced by the fact that only 49% of local schools have some form of connectivity, of which only 20% use it for teaching and learning, while the rest are for administration.
Research has also shown that 78% of South African children in grade 4 cannot read in any language.
It is in this context of disparities that Huawei supports the efforts of the NGO Click Learning, through its DigiSchool program.
Supporting DigiSchool also underscores Huawei’s commitment to connecting more unconnected people and organizations to drive positive social change.
“Many people around the world are still offline,” said Dr. Liang Hua, Chairman of Huawei’s Board of Directors.
He was speaking this week at the Forum on Sustainable Business Development.
“So connecting them is the first step. This will give them better access to knowledge, digital skills training and opportunities,” Liang said.
The executive added that in this new era, where everything will be connected, connectivity will be more than just a convenient communication tool.
“With digital technologies like the cloud and AI (artificial intelligence), connectivity will help bring everyone into the digital world and drive social progress,” he said.
Launched in July 2020, the program has connected nearly 100 urban and rural primary schools across South Africa. It reached more than 50,000 learners.
The program has benefited learners at these schools on four fronts: connectivity, devices, content and skills.
Thami Sibanda, principal of Tlama Tlama Primary School, one of the DigiSchools, said the program had had a significant impact.
“This initiative has provided great opportunities for our learners who would not normally be exposed to it,” she said.
Sibanda said learners’ reading has improved since the program began. Those who completed the program had the opportunity to read to other learners at the school assembly with the aim of encouraging others to take an interest in reading.
Khutso Kgatla, a student from Iphuteng Primary School, said, “Computers have helped us understand a lot of things. Now I am good in class and I get a lot of rewards thanks to computers.
Parents have welcomed the program.
“Since the program was introduced in our school, the children know more about what they read. They understand better now,” said Andile Libazi, a parent from Thembile Primary School in Gauteng.
The DigiSchool program provides schools with equipment to connect to the internet through Rain’s 5G or 4G networks, and exposes learners to digital tools and materials proven to improve reading, comprehension and digital skills.
Its slogan is “Connect to read, read to connect”.
Huawei believes that DigiSchool is an essential part of its corporate role in the countries in which it operates.
It is under the concept of TECH4ALL, which has benefited over 110,000 people by the end of 2021.
With digital technologies such as cloud and AI, connectivity will help bring everyone into the digital world and drive social progress, Liang said.
“It is essential that these benefits benefit everyone, because we believe that connectivity is not only the cornerstone of the digital economy, but a fundamental right for every human being,” he concluded.
– CAJ News
