Question NW3027 to the Minister of Basic Education

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08 September 2015 - NW3027

Profile picture: Wana, Ms T

Wana, Ms T to ask the Minister of Basic Education

With reference to information and communication technology (ICT), how many schools in each province (a) have been connected, (b) through which service provider were the schools connected, (c) what amount was budgeted by her department for ICT connection for the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (d) how were these amounts spent in each specified period?

Reply:

1. INTRODUCTION

The Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services (DTPS) is the custodian of schools’ connectivity and not the Department of Basic Education (DBE). However, considering the interest the DBE has in the matter, as a beneficiary like any other public institution, the DBE is working closely with the DTPS on this matter and the collaboration has been strengthened. For example, in implementing Government Gazette No. 3718 of 4 June, 2014, on the Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO), the two Departments have been working closely with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ensure that the four Network Operators (as per the Gazette), Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Neotel, fulfill their mandate in terms of schools’ connectivity.

2. How many schools in each province (a) have been connected, (b) through which service provider were the schools connected,

During 2014-15 financial year 1840 schools, including 1650 schools that were connected through the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project, were connected. The following is the breakdown per Province:

(a) 2010 FIFA World Cup school connectivity legacy project, for which Telkom was the Service Provider:

Province

VSAT

Diginet

ADSL

Total

Eastern Cape

191

13

9

213

Free State

67

48

35

150

Gauteng

53

92

45

190

KwaZulu-Natal

157

54

18

229

Limpopo

204

4

6

214

Mpumalanga

103

22

38

163

Northern Cape

74

13

11

98

North West

188

5

5

198

Western Cape

103

12

80

195

Total

1140

263

247

1650

(b)  The Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO) – for which Vodacom was the service provider

  • 61 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
  • 53 schools in Eastern Cape;
  • 40 schools in Free State; and
  • 6 schools in the Northern Cape.

Total: 150 schools

(c) Corporate Social Investment (Corporate Social Investment) initiatives

  • 10 Schools in Eastern Cape through CSI (Vodacom);
  • 10 Schools in Mpumalanga through CSI (Vodacom); and
  • 20 Schools including 4 in Western Cape, 3 Eastern Cape, 5 KwaZulu-Natal, 2 Limpopo, 3 Mpumalanga, 1 North West by State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as Corporate Social Investment contribution(CSI);

Total: 40 schools

During the current financial year (2015-16), thus far, 327 schools have been connected by Vodacom as part of its USAO. The following is the breakdown per province:

  • 10 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
  • 103 schools in the Eastern Cape;
  • 48 schools in the Free State; and
  • 16 Schools in the Northern Cape.

 

Total: 177 schools

3. What amount was budgeted by her department for ICT connection for the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (d) how were these amounts spent in each specified period?

As indicated above, the DTPS is the custodian of schools’ connectivity as public Institutions. Therefore the DTPS in charge of any related budget. As a beneficiary, the DBE supports the DTPS in realising schools’ connectivity projects. With regard to projects referred to in this submission, while the cost of the current USAO rollout is undertaken by respective Network Operators, as an obligation for their license, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was funded by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund which was managed by the DTPS.

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