FAQ
- Who selects schools for participation in the Khanya
project'
- Which criteria are used to select schools to be included in
the Khanya programme'
- Why have some well-managed, poor schools not been included in
the programme'
- If a school feels that it qualifies to be part of the Khanya
programme, what procedure should it follow'
- What is the monetary allocation that the Western Cape
Education Department (WCED) makes to each school with regard to Khanya'
- Why are schools that have been nominated for inclusion in the
Khanya project expected to make a financial contribution'
- Can a school that has not been selected by the EMDC to be part
of the Khanya project, but can afford to fund its own computer laboratory,
become part of the programme'
- Can a school with existing computer technology be assisted by
Khanya in any way'
- Is Khanya only concerned with implementing computers in
schools'
- If a school is in need of computers, may it apply to Khanya
for assistance'
- Does Khanya promote proprietary or open-source
technology'
- How can donors support the Khanya process'
- Is it possible for computer vendors to sell equipment to
Khanya'
- Who selects schools for participation in the Khanya project'
The
Management of the Education Management Development Centre (EMDC) in which the
school resides is responsible for recommending that a school be included in the
Khanya project.
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- Which criteria are used to select schools to be included in the Khanya
programme'
The most important factor is good whole-school management.
Khanya staff are not in a position to determine whether the management of a
school is excellent or not and leaves that judgment to the EMDC management. The
need of the school, as well as the poverty level of the community from which
learners is drawn, is also considered.
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- Why have some well-managed, poor schools not been included in the
programme'
Due to limited funding, as well as the high cost of
technology, only a certain number of schools can be accommodated per year. The
EMDC management, therefore, has to make very difficult decisions and at times
may find that they have to exclude a particular school during a particular
financial year. There is, of course, a greater likelihood that such a school
could be included in the programme during the next financial year.
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- If a school feels that it qualifies to be part of the Khanya programme, what
procedure should it follow'
The school should contact the circuit
manager and/or EMDC management and address their request to them. Even though
Khanya staff may be sympathetic to such requests, it is the prerogative of the
EMDC management to make the final decision.
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- What is the monetary allocation that the Western Cape Education Department
(WCED) makes to each school with regard to Khanya'
There is no
specific allocation. Khanya has an annual budget for technology deployment in
schools. These funds are used to fill the gap between that which schools need
and that which they can afford themselves. It therefore follows that the Khanya
contribution to schools would differ, according to unique circumstances and
needs.
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- Why are schools that have been nominated for inclusion in the Khanya project
expected to make a financial contribution'
The learners at the
schools and the broader community are the recipients of the benefits of
introducing technology in a school and it is therefore only reasonable to expect
that they contribute. As a result of the high cost of implementation, there are
simply not enough funds available to cover all the costs for a complete computer
facility in each school in the Western Cape. In an effort to 'level the playing
fields', schools are requested to contribute to the greatest extent possible.
When schools that can afford to assist do so, Khanya is placed in a position
where it can aid poorer schools to start using technology much faster.
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- Can a school that has not been selected by the EMDC to be part of the Khanya
project, but can afford to fund its own computer laboratory, become part of the
programme'
Yes. A Khanya implementation project manager can assist in
project-managing the implementation process, and a Khanya facilitator will be
assigned to assist with training and curriculum delivery. The EMDC management
can be contacted for direction in this regard.
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- Can a school with existing computer technology be assisted by Khanya in any
way'
Yes. Such a school can benefit from the training in the use of
IT and curriculum delivery provided by Khanya facilitators. The EMDC management
can be contacted for direction in this regard.
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- Is Khanya only concerned with implementing computers in
schools'
No. The Khanya project is about using technology as a
support to educators and embraces all forms of technology, including computers
and audio-visual technologies. The emphasis of the project is on curriculum
delivery and the technology is seen as a valuable tool in achieving this
objective.
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- If a school is in need of computers, may it apply to Khanya for
assistance'
No. Khanya is not a technology-dispensing agency. The aim
of the project is to use technology for the purpose of curriculum delivery and
all engagements with a school hinge on this objective.
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- Does Khanya promote proprietary or open-source
technology'
Neither. The emphasis of Khanya is on curriculum delivery
and uses whichever technology can support this process. At present the majority
of the Khanya laboratories are Microsoft-based, but considerable progress has
been made in experimenting with open-source technology. The Khanya Learning
Management System (LMS) is built using open-source software.
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- How can donors support the Khanya process'
A prospective donor
could contact the Khanya Project Support office. A list of schools with needs is
available and donors will be advised as to how their contributions can best be
made.
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- Is it possible for computer vendors to sell equipment to
Khanya'
When public funding is used, very specific financial
regulations apply. Khanya works strictly according to an approved tendering
system and all vendors are advised to work through this system.
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