Question NW1265 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
13 July 2020 - NW1265
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What total number of learners have benefited from and/or used online learning that was provided by various schools during the lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus; (2) whether online learning is an option to be used going forward; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how will it be implemented?
Reply:
(1) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not keep a record of learners accessing Online Learning, as different approaches are employed by providers of Online Learning.
(2) Yes. Education systems across the world, have adopted remote learning as an approach. The DBE, Department of Communication and Digital Technologies (DCDT), and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) are in the process of establishing a Virtual Classroom solution that will provide online learning. This process is still at the initial stage.