Does websites and emails for public schools really matter?

Connecting schools to the digital world through websites and emails for teachers is important in placing the school in a public platform, enabling parents and community members to see what the school is doing and can act as a central point for disseminating information to learners, educators, parents and other stakeholders. By Gugu Lourie

Ten Gauteng schools are now online and connected to the world following the launch of the Schools Online Presence Project by ZADNA (.ZA Domain Name Authority).

Selected by ZADNA with the guidance of the Gauteng Department of Education, the schools have been provided with websites built by web designers located in their own communities.

This means that teachers and support staff in these schools are now efficiently communicating using their new email addresses associated with the websites.

 “Having a dedicated school website and email address is no luxury. Building a world-class education system for the majority of South Africans means not compromising on the best available technology. ZADNA is pleased to be able to direct the funds generated from .ZA domain name registrations to a project that uplifts needy schools through a .ZA Internet presence,” said Vika Mpisane, CEO of ZADNA. 

He added that websites are important marketing and online visibility tools for schools, they serve as a central point for disseminating information to learners, educators, parents and other stakeholders.  

The websites will also enable the schools to centralise their social media presence by having their social media channels (such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter) redirecting from the websites. The schools may also expand the websites into administrative interfaces by linking databases with student profiles and providing Intranets for educators. 

The Department of Basic Education pointed out as far back as 2012 that 30% of South African schools have ineffective governing bodies with many parents simply not involved in their children’s education. “Parents can now use their computers, tablets and mobile phones to easily keep abreast of school activities through the websites,” Mpisane said. 

The project results from an analysis by ZADNA into some of the school ICT initiatives by the public and private sectors. The analysis showed that most of these included computer laboratories, teacher computer training and the distribution of tablets to learners. It also showed that a substantial number of schools still did not have dedicated websites and email addresses. 

“We would like to express our gratitude to ZADNA for this initiative. It complements our vision to become a technology-driven school and to ensure that every learner in Lakeview Primary School is able to use technology to do their school work,” M.V Bilankulu, Lakeview Primary School Principal, said. 

“Having a dedicated website is a valuable additional service, and we can only challenge ZADNA to do more of the same for other schools as well.” 

The first ten schools presented with their own websites and email addresses are as follows:

•  Lefika Primary School in Sebokeng www.lefikaprimary.co.za
• Maxeke Secondary School in Evaton www.maxekesecondary.co.za
• Sivuse Primary School In  Sebokeng www.sivuseprimary.co.za
• Lakeview Primary School in Soweto www.lakeviewps.co.za
• Phafogang Secondary School in Soweto www.phafogang.co.za
• Beverely Hills Secondary School in Sebokeng www.beverlyhigh.co.za
• Impala Crescent Primary School in Lenasia www.impalacrescent.co.za
• Tharabollo Secondary School in Palm Springs (www.tharabolo.co.za
• Rutasetjhaba Secondary School in Evaton North www.rutasechaba.co.za
• Evaton Primary School in Evaton www.evatonprimary.co.za

 ZADNA’s Schools Online Presence Project will continue to identify schools requiring website support while partnering with community-based web developers who can help make the government’s vision of connected schools a positive South African reality.

 ZADNA is responsible for the costs of designing and hosting the websites, and of providing email addresses to each school’s staff members.