Gauteng Grade 12 learners go techno-learning

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The department said schools mainly in townships and rural areas have been selected to participate in the programme. The programme entails using interactive boards and mobile devices such as tablets and laptops with complete internet connectivity to conduct teaching and learning.

"Over 4,000 Matric classrooms have had to be refurbished, ceilings were replaced and fitted with specialised lights and blinds were installed to improve lighting for the interactive boards.

"The department has also purchased over 17,000 tablets for Grade 12 learners and 1,800 3D LED interactive boards that are currently being installed in Matric classrooms at the targeted schools," said the department. The interactive boards are fitted with world class teaching software and are fully integrated with the learners' tablets for ease of interaction during lessons.

Earlier this year the department recalled tablets from schools to install them with additional security features following many of them being stolen from schools. The department said it was working closely with law enforcement agencies to strengthen security at schools and all schools were linked to their nearest police stations for rapid response.

"The devices have been fitted with trackers to ensure that they are traceable should they get lost," said the department.

There have been delays with installation at about 30% of the targeted 375 schools because some schools need major infrastructural refurbishments. The department said contractors are on site and will work in the afternoons and weekends to avoid disrupting teaching and learning at the schools.

"The deadline for the completion of this work has been set for the end of August 2015," said the department.