OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, the Khanya Technology in Education Project of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has installed 13,000 PCs, helped build computer facilities for 400 schools, trained 10,000 educators and significantly, about 340,000 learners have been assisted by the use of technology to improve in maths, science and other school subjects.

In recognition of this, the manager of the WCED’s Khanya project received national confirmation from the ICT community that the WCED is on the fast track to success.

At a lavish banquet of the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) president’s annual awards in Johannesburg last week, Kobus van Wyk, received the newly introduced ICT Social Responsibility Award for innovative application of technology in the education sector and the outstanding contribution he has made to the development needs of communities. The award was presented by the CSSA in association with ITWeb, Gartner Africa and the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

The judging panel said the selection was a daunting task for the judges, given the finalists’ spectrum of talent. "They all share a passion for industry transformation, education and skills development, and believe SA has the talent to become a provider of world-class ICT solutions," said Rene Jacobs on behalf of the panel.

In accepting the award, Van Wyk called for industry to do more in ensuring skills gaps are filled through education. He said: "This award is a stamp of approval that we (Khanya) are doing something right. It has highlighted our mission and given us an opportunity to include corporates in what we are doing in terms of social responsibility."

According to him, historically, the implementation of ICT in schools in Africa has not been successful. "Khanya’s biggest achievement is that we have proven it can work. I have learnt over the years that the only way to ensure the sustainability of a community-based project is to ensure that the community has ownership of that project."

Said Education MEC Cameron Dugmore: "Through the Khanya project, Van Wyk has contributed towards using technology to enhance the level of education that learners in the Western Cape are receiving, especially in the poorest of the poor communities.

"I am confident that, by the end of this year, not a single high school would be without a computer lab.

"By the start of the 2012 academic year, we want every educator in every school of the Western Cape to be empowered to use appropriate and available technology to deliver the curriculum to each and every learner in the province.

"It may be an ambitious target, but all indications are that this target will be reached because we have a duty to eradicate the digital divide and ensure equity and redress in all our schools".

MEC Dugmore, left, with Kobus van Wyk after yet another award last year.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.