Vodacom pioneered the launch of the e-School portal in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in 2014, and the goal was to design a platform to provide access to curriculum-aligned content on a smart device at no cost. This was in line with the technology company’s belief in using technology to enable societal change by partnering with government and other organisations to ensure quality digital education for all learners.
“We developed the e-School platform as part of Vodacom’s ongoing drive to help provide information and communication technology (ICT) tools and internet connectivity to underserved communities. By providing access to internet services to improve the standard of education, we are able to uplift learners and the quality of education,” says Takalani Netshitenzhe, External Affairs Director for Vodacom South Africa.
The online digital education portal provides educational content that is fully aligned to the DBE Curriculum (CAPS) in multiple South African official languages for learners from grades R to 12. E-school is accessible via mobile and desktop, free of charge to all Vodacom customers. Content includes assignments, quizzes and learning videos. Students using Vodacom’s e-School are able to complete daily homework questions, revise some of the work they may have done in previous lessons at their school, browse past exam papers, get tips and advice to help them improve their marks, test their knowledge with assignments, download subject material and watch content-related videos.
“The e-School portal is a demonstration of Vodacom’s core belief that ICT and mobile technology can be utilised to improve and advance learning while addressing skills development, especially among learners who attend school in remote parts of South Africa. In the wise words of the great Nelson Mandela: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can choose to change the world.’ E-school has the potential to empower our youth through education to be future leaders in a digital age,” adds Netshitenzhe.
No one could have predicted that six years later after e-School’s launch, the platform would reach an important milestone in being an invaluable tool for learners and educators around the country. In March 2020, the digital portal addressed a critical need for the scores of school-going children at home on extended school break as the country grappled with the COVID-19 crisis. At the height of the pandemic, user registration on the platform reached the one million mark. The platform now has over 1.2 million cumulative registered users. To show the phenomenal uptake on Vodacom e-School during COVID-19, user registrations on the platform were up by over 1 000% compared to previous historic periods.
The platform is also championed by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms. Angie Motshekga, a proof point for how necessary services like these are in helping South Africa’s youth reach their educational goals; and to assist the DBE in meeting its education objectives during the pandemic.
“Looking ahead, it’s indisputable that there will still be a need for online learning. The pandemic has shown that if we are to leverage technological innovations in education to promise a brighter future for all, we need to bridge the learning and resource divides that currently exist. At Vodacom, this means providing an enabling environment to access online learning and digital support through tools such as our e-School platform, for both educators and learners, so that no one is left behind in our journey towards a digital future,” says Netshitenzhe.
To access the e-School portal, users need to visit www.vodacom.co.za/e-school from their cell phone, tablet, or laptop to register.
- This article was published in partnership with Vodacom
10 Comments
This is an interesting topic and I am looking forward to reading more about the role of Vodacom E-School in democratizing access to education. It’s great that technology can help bridge the gap for those who may not have access to traditional educational resources.
This is a fantastic initiative! The Vodacom e-School program is truly changing the landscape of education by making high-quality resources accessible to every learner, regardless of their background. It’s encouraging to see technology being leveraged to address educational inequalities in South Africa. I hope more organizations follow this example!
This blog post highlights a crucial initiative in making education more accessible to all. The Vodacom e-School is a fantastic example of leveraging technology to break down barriers, especially for those in underserved communities. It’s inspiring to see how such platforms can empower students and create equal opportunities for learning. Thank you for shedding light on this important issue!
This is a great initiative by Vodacom! The e-School program is a significant step towards making quality education accessible to all, regardless of their geographical or economic challenges. It’s encouraging to see technology being harnessed to bridge the education gap in South Africa. Looking forward to seeing its impact on students’ learning outcomes!
This post highlights an essential initiative in bridging the educational gap. Vodacom e-School’s commitment to providing free access to quality learning resources is commendable. It’s exciting to see technology playing such a pivotal role in making education more inclusive and accessible for all students. Looking forward to seeing more success stories from this program!
This is a fantastic initiative! The Vodacom e-School program is a crucial step toward making education more accessible for everyone, regardless of their location or economic situation. It’s inspiring to see technology being harnessed to bridge the educational divide. I hope more organizations will follow suit and expand these vital resources to ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed.
This is a fantastic initiative by Vodacom! It’s inspiring to see technology being leveraged to make education more accessible for everyone. The potential impact on learners in underserved areas is immense, and I hope to see more partnerships like this in the future. Thank you for shedding light on such an important topic!
This post highlights the crucial impact of Vodacom e-School in bridging the education gap in South Africa. It’s inspiring to see how technology can empower learners from all backgrounds, making quality education more accessible. I hope more initiatives like this emerge to further democratize education.
This article highlights an essential initiative in bridging the education gap in South Africa. Vodacom e-School is a fantastic step towards making quality education accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic background. It’s inspiring to see technology being leveraged to empower learners and provide equal opportunities for everyone. Looking forward to seeing how it evolves and impacts future generations!
This post highlights the significant impact that Vodacom e-School has on expanding educational access in South Africa. It’s inspiring to see technology being harnessed to bridge the gap in education disparities. I hope more initiatives like this continue to emerge, paving the way for a more equitable future for all learners.