The Khanya Technology in Education Project of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is investigating innovative ways of using information, communication and audiovisual technologies to improve curriculum delivery in schools.

The main purpose of Khanya is to deliver and support curriculum, to assist in improving the quality of teaching and learning in all schools of the Western Cape

The "e-environment" is with us in the Western Cape. Some of our children have access to television, video, cell phones, arcade games, radios, Walkmans, ATMs, computers and the Internet.

Others do not, but have heard enough about them to realize that they are being left out of a magic world-on-demand . . .

One of the purposes of the Khanya project is to narrow the digital divide by placing information and communication technologies (ICT) and audiovisual technologies (AVT) in disadvantaged schools.

These technologies are very effective in helping learners to develop the mindset they need for the 21^st century – the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes one needs to become successful, contributing citizens. These are:

• A high degree of literacy and numeracy
• Problem solving skills
• Critical, flexible and creative thinking
• An understanding of the global environment
• Responsibility for oneself and sound ethical standards
• Enthusiasm for lifelong learning

These technologies are also helping to address the problem of a shortage of qualified educators. The current shortage of educators in schools is universal, for various reasons. It will continue. ICT and AVT can supplement and improve teaching and learning, and maximize the effectiveness of good teachers.

What is happening in the Khanya project?

Khanya is a Provincial project, carrying the approval of the Western Cape Cabinet. Project implementation is taking place through well-researched pilots. This enables us to capitalize on evolving technologies as well as localising international best practice.

We work with individual schools to establish computer networks with Internet connectivity and audiovisual facilities answering to their specific educational needs.

Schools with good management and sound academic results are invited to join the project when their staff is ready to adopt these technologies and integrate them into their teaching practice.

The curriculum focus of each pilot is decided by national, provincial and local priorities.

One of the current pilots is thus designed to raise the standard of Mathematics and to encourage more learners to obtain Higher Grade passes in the Senior Certificate examination. This will enable them to enter universities and technikons to prepare for careers in the sciences and engineering.

Another pilot in primary schools focuses on literacy and numeracy across the curriculum. The educational impact of the Khanya project will be measured by its affect on academic results.

The speed with which schools join the project and receive equipment will be determined by the availability of provincial and donor funding. However, it is intended that by 2012, all educators and learners will have access to computers and email addresses.

The project is developing in collaboration with other ICT initiatives in the WCED and Provincial Administration which are enabling communication and the transfer of data between all schools and the department to take place electronically.

For further information, contact:

Kobus van Wyk
Project Manager: Khanya
Tel: 021 467 2224
Fax: 021 467 2223