ICT Barriers in South African Education

ICT is any communication channel that provides data via telecommunications in Southern Africa and world wide, this includes a variety of devices such as programmed computers, cellphones satellite programs and other gadgets.In this ever changing ways of living, life depends on ICT as we can not communicate effectively without it. Barriers in ICT have a very negative impact in South African schools especially those in rural settings that do not have a technological background.

In most cases rural schools do not have ICT background because of the following:

• Overcrowded classrooms.
• Lack of knowledge and skills .
• Expensive cost of installation and lack of revenue/ money to buy computers.
• Very low literacy level.
• Inadequate accessibility of the department of education to provide resources that will sustain the teaching and learning process.
• Limited infrastructure and geographical features (internet access).
• Lack of support and maintenance/safekeeping in schools.
• Fewer qualified personnel to assist, teach and provide support structure for ICT in rural schools.
• Poor supply or shortage of electricity in rural areas.
• Crime.
• Poverty.

Teachers are also a contributing barricade to the process of learning ICT because of their current teaching and learning methods. They also think that the use of technology is filled with a lot of difficulties and they do not practice lessons that  involves technology. During my schooling years technology was used at my schooling years there was technology yet I never got a chance to use it as I thought it was a waste of time and I never got a chance to experience the beauty of technology. I have now change my perceptions about  ICT as a pre-service teacher I think there is a room for improvement as the times have changed and we now live in a modern global village where everybody is interacting with each other.The government needs to lend a hand in making away forward in improving a South Africa that is alive with possibilities and great strengths.

My schooling at Inkomazi secondary school in Mpumalanga -a journey continued

My school at Inkomazi high was filled with a lot of jubilation. On my matriculation year i did the following subjects Siswati home language, English as a first additional language, Mathematical literacy, Life Orientation, Life Sciences,Agricultural Sciences and Travel and Tourism.Our school was well known for its academic performance in maths and science and the teachers always encourage everyone to do those subjects.

I matriculated in a rural village named Mangweni trust in a school called Inkomazi secondary school  at  Mpumalanga province. I completed high schooling in 2011 and I surprised everyone  by being a best learner that year when i came number one in my school. I was quite proud of myself because everyone expected a best learner in the science class but I proved everyone wrong making sure that all subjects are seen equally crucial at schools. I had the best time of my life at school and I would trade anything just to go back there  and I learnt a lot and I liked most of the teachers at my school.

.Most of the teachers used black board and text books to teach and electronic gadgets including information technology and cellphones were not used . As learners we never really got the opportunity to use computers although there were two big computer labs.
In most cases the PCs were made available to the maths and science learners. In my school most learners did not get the chance to indulge in Information Technology classes or activities.