Address by the Honourable Premier RM Mtshweni-Tsipane on the occasion of the e-Learning Programme

05 April 2022

1. Programme Director, we are taking a giant leap in the educational field today, with Ubuhlebuzile Secondary school, as the base to launch the e-Learning Programme.


2. It gives me pleasure to be a part of this history-making moment, joining hands with the community of Mkhondo Municipality, as our provincial government is making this bold move.


3. This function today, is evidence to our commitment of equipping the Grade 12 Class with the tools that will optimise their learning. There is more to these technological tools, that we are handing them over today:
   
   • They are the fruits that stem from the 4th industrial revolution era that we are in;
   • They are catalysts of change that to thrust both learners and teachers into a digital age in which their capacity will be elevated to national standards.
4. Programme Director, it is by no coincidence that we chose Ubuhlebuzile Secondary school for the launch. The gadgets are new and precious, and the name of the school is Ubuhlebuzile. Yingako sithi silethe okuhle esikoleni esaziwa nge-Ubuhlebuzile.
   • Angazi kahle ukuthi ingabe ukuziphatha kwenu kuyahambisana yini negama lesikolo na?
   • Uma kungenjalo, kufanale niziphathe kahle kusukela namhlanje kuyaphambili.
5. It is for this reason that the Programme will be called Ubuhlebuzile e-Learning Programme.


6. The starts of the programme marks a new era of e-Learning in our Province. Today we are handing over 55 000 Grade 12 learners and 6700 teachers, tablets and laptops.


7. These gadgets will optimise the quality of learning across the Province.


8. Through this initiative, we will move a step closer to attaining the ideals of the Strategic Framework for Schooling 2030, Mpumalanga Vision 2030, The African Union: Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide quality, effective and non-colonial education to the children of our beautiful Province.


9. We will also honour the ideals of opening the doors to e-learning to the previously disadvantaged and balance the proverbial playing field in honour of the legacy of the son of the soil and the first President of the Congress of the South African Students (COSAS), Cde Ephraim Mogale.


10. We are a first step towards the realisation of our vision to ensure a “One Tablet one Learner" for the benefit of our children.


11. Programme Director, these tablets are pre-loaded with e-Learning and Teaching Support Material (e-LTSM) for Grade 12 learners and teachers. They will constantly be updated with CAPS aligned e-books and supplementary e-content to enhance teaching and learning.


12. In this way, we are advancing the delivery of quality teaching and learning fundamentally so. We are alive to the impact e-learning can have in augmenting our curriculum offering for quality education that meet international standards.


13. Programme Director, this launch is but one of the many examples of the commitment of the ANC led government to improve the holistic quality of life for all people of the Province. We are of the firm belief that a community that invests in its young people is a community that will reap the rewards of the future.


14. It is our responsibility to eliminate the digital divide by ensuring that all schools have access to the internet in the short to medium term. To this effect, we have begun deliberations with the Ministry of Communications and Technology to incorporate Mpumalanga educational facilities and libraries in the implementation of the SA connect broadband plan that has been adopted by Cabinet and will commence in this current financial year.


15. Programme Director, when delivering the State of the Province His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the importance of digitising learning when he said: “Amongst the many ideals, the 4th industrial revolution must equip our people with, is the necessary skills to participate in the knowledge economy.”


16. Added to this, was the profound words of the late President, Madiba, who once said: “Education is the key to change your life”.


17. In pursuit of this line of march, we will commence the process of digitising all learning programme and ensuring that all academic content is easily accessible through zero-rated data plans provided by our strategic collaboration with telecommunication service providers.


18. Investing in the digital economy will enable us to capacitate our children to meet the skills demands of the future. This will inevitably unlock untapped economic growth and sustain livelihoods.


19. We urge the private sector to join our efforts and aid the provincial government in donating ICT hardware for purposes of the e-learning rollout.


20. As I conclude Programme Director, I want to remind the Matric class of 2022 that the tablets should not perpetuate ill-discipline, they are get lost without trace. It is your responsibility to protect them jealously so.


21. You must report any misuse of them, to your teachers. Programme Director, please allow me to invite the President of the Representative Council of Learners at this school to be the first to officially receive the tablet.


22. Andile Thwala please join me on stage. I also request his parents to join him as he becomes the first recipient of this projects.


23. Ngiyabonga.

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