1. INTRODUCTION
The Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services (DTPS) is the custodian of schools’ connectivity and not the Department of Basic Education (DBE). However, considering the interest the DBE has in the matter, as a beneficiary like any other public institution, the DBE is working closely with the DTPS on this matter and the collaboration has been strengthened. For example, in implementing Government Gazette No. 3718 of 4 June, 2014, on the Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO), the two Departments have been working closely with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ensure that the four Network Operators (as per the Gazette), Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Neotel, fulfill their mandate in terms of schools’ connectivity.
2. How many schools in each province (a) have been connected, (b) through which service provider were the schools connected,
During 2014-15 financial year 1840 schools, including 1650 schools that were connected through the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project, were connected. The following is the breakdown per Province:
(a) 2010 FIFA World Cup school connectivity legacy project, for which Telkom was the Service Provider:
Province |
VSAT |
Diginet |
ADSL |
Total |
Eastern Cape |
191 |
13 |
9 |
213 |
Free State |
67 |
48 |
35 |
150 |
Gauteng |
53 |
92 |
45 |
190 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
157 |
54 |
18 |
229 |
Limpopo |
204 |
4 |
6 |
214 |
Mpumalanga |
103 |
22 |
38 |
163 |
Northern Cape |
74 |
13 |
11 |
98 |
North West |
188 |
5 |
5 |
198 |
Western Cape |
103 |
12 |
80 |
195 |
Total |
1140 |
263 |
247 |
1650 |
(b) The Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO) – for which Vodacom was the service provider
Total: 150 schools
(c) Corporate Social Investment (Corporate Social Investment) initiatives
Total: 40 schools
During the current financial year (2015-16), thus far, 327 schools have been connected by Vodacom as part of its USAO. The following is the breakdown per province:
Total: 177 schools
3. What amount was budgeted by her department for ICT connection for the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (d) how were these amounts spent in each specified period?
As indicated above, the DTPS is the custodian of schools’ connectivity as public Institutions. Therefore the DTPS in charge of any related budget. As a beneficiary, the DBE supports the DTPS in realising schools’ connectivity projects. With regard to projects referred to in this submission, while the cost of the current USAO rollout is undertaken by respective Network Operators, as an obligation for their license, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was funded by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund which was managed by the DTPS.