Education is a fundamental right. It should be affordable, if not free.
Most importantly, education must be accessible to all communities.
Statistics compiled by Stats SA show that only 21.4% of households in SA have a computer at home and, out of that percentage, only 10.1% have an internet connection.
This means if e-learning is adopted by all universities, fewer people will stand a chance to further their studies.
A number of universities no longer accept walk-in applications; they want the matriculants to apply online. They ignore the fact that not every school in SA has a computer lab with internet connection; they ignore the fact that local internet cafes are expensive.
This, in essence, means only urban children stand a chance of being accepted at university . This is not in line with the values of freedom and democracy.
Even if the infrastructure is there, it must be affordable. Airtime is expensive, smartphones are expensive and fragile, while uptake and usage of broadband favours the rich.
Prepaid airtime users pay R2 a minute during the day and contract users pay R1.40.
How much will it cost for a poor child to download a seven-page question paper to prepare for the exams? How much will an internet connection cost him or her to do research for assignments and school projects?
E-learning might work in future, especially if infrastructure improves, but not today, tomorrow or next week.
E-learning is a success in well-developed countries like China and the US, where having data bundles is more important than having a glass of water.
Our needs in Africa are totally different from those of the developed world states.
A loaf of bread is more important than a smartphone. Access to mineral wealth is more important than the green economy and information technology.
Let us not be dragged into a system that doesn't cater for our needs and further enriches the W est.
Issues of bread and butter must top our agenda.
I oppose e-learning.
Skhumbuzo Matshiana, by e-mail
Letter: E-learning doesn't work
Education is a fundamental right. It should be affordable, if not free.
Most importantly, education must be accessible to all communities.
Statistics compiled by Stats SA show that only 21.4% of households in SA have a computer at home and, out of that percentage, only 10.1% have an internet connection.
This means if e-learning is adopted by all universities, fewer people will stand a chance to further their studies.
A number of universities no longer accept walk-in applications; they want the matriculants to apply online. They ignore the fact that not every school in SA has a computer lab with internet connection; they ignore the fact that local internet cafes are expensive.
This, in essence, means only urban children stand a chance of being accepted at university . This is not in line with the values of freedom and democracy.
Even if the infrastructure is there, it must be affordable. Airtime is expensive, smartphones are expensive and fragile, while uptake and usage of broadband favours the rich.
Prepaid airtime users pay R2 a minute during the day and contract users pay R1.40.
How much will it cost for a poor child to download a seven-page question paper to prepare for the exams? How much will an internet connection cost him or her to do research for assignments and school projects?
E-learning might work in future, especially if infrastructure improves, but not today, tomorrow or next week.
E-learning is a success in well-developed countries like China and the US, where having data bundles is more important than having a glass of water.
Our needs in Africa are totally different from those of the developed world states.
A loaf of bread is more important than a smartphone. Access to mineral wealth is more important than the green economy and information technology.
Let us not be dragged into a system that doesn't cater for our needs and further enriches the W est.
Issues of bread and butter must top our agenda.
I oppose e-learning.
Skhumbuzo Matshiana, by e-mail
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