Specialised schools aim to educate learners for the digital world and create a much-needed skilled labour force in these areas. They focus on ICT, among other subjects.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and the Information Technology Association of South Africa (ITA) have undertaken to spend R7bn on Schools of Specialisation, focusing on developing mathematics, science, engineering, sports and arts, and commerce and entrepreneurship at schools. It started with an R80m ICT school in 2016. In 2019, it opened two schools of specialisation, St Barnabus and UJ Metropolitan Mathematics, and the R105m smart school Menzi Primary School.
At the beginning of 2021, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education opened the Anton Lembede Mathematics, Sciences & Technology Academy – School of innovation and Leadership.
From 2016, the Western cape Education department introduced their Game Changer e-portal, which provides digital support through things like wifi, technology for the classroom, and access to digital teaching and learning portals.
Private sector intervention has also seen results – Samsung’s Smart Classroom and Digital Villages are making a difference in the lives of children who would not normally have access to learning about and through technology.
