The first Khanya conference for School Managers in the Central District was attended by some 100 primary school principals and deputies on Thursday, 23 October 2008, in Kenilworth.

The theme, "Managers Moving Forward in Technology" highlighted the role school - principals play in ensuring optimal use of and sustainability of Information and Communication Technologies in schools.

In his keynote address, Clinton Walker, Senior Manger of the Western Cape Education Department's Khanya Project said: "Each period of history is defined by both the tools that exist and the ways in which those tools are used."

He quoted Bill Gates: "The transition to a new century gives us pause to define how learning - and perhaps the learner - has changed and what new tools enable us to bring the best we can offer to educate our world."

This was demonstrated by showing how Industrial Age Tools have been replaced by tools from the Information Age. From the engine to the computer; listening to communicating; copy skills to thinking skills; uniformity to creativity; master of details to master of concepts.

Ian Kriel, Deputy at Rosmead Central Primary School in Claremont, emphasised the importance of having a vision and the establishment of partnerships.

Within little more than a decade the school has gone from having no technology to having a suite of computers in every class, several interactive whiteboards and computer laboratories, he said. All of this has been achieved through effect partnerships with business and civil society.

Other speakers shared their best practices on planning, staff development and the formation of IT policies. Managers were encouraged to use innovations like Skype, Blogs and Mxit to enhance the IT learning experience in their school.

Presentations can be viewed on the Khanya website www.khanya.co.za. For more information, refer to Albert Arendse, conference convener, at: 021 7059118 or 082 354 0534

About Khanya:

Khanya is an initiative of the Western Cape Education Department which was formed in 2001 to use technology to improve learning outcomes in the Western Cape Province.

To date:

• 945 schools have been helped to use technology effectively
• Another 166 schools are in various stages of preparation for the next wave of implementation
• A total of 36959 computers are used in Khanya schools (of these 22489 have been funded by Khanya or its donor partners, and the balance of 14470 have been procured by the schools themselves)
• 21965 Educators are being empowered to use technology optimally for curriculum delivery
• 740129 learners are already reaping the benefits of the project