Technology solutions company Liquid Intelligent Technologies says it has connected 45 public schools in the Umlazi and Pinetown regions of KwaZulu-Natal to high-speed internet.
The company says the initiative includes dedicated internet lines and infrastructure maintenance to improve access to digital learning resources for learners and educators.
Spokesperson Ziaad Suleman says digital connectivity is becoming increasingly important across sectors.
Suleman says, “The reality is that in today’s world, one has to be connected to this digital economy, whether it be in the form of education, healthcare, or otherwise. The immediate value to, you know, the students as well as the educators in this Umlazi Pinetown area is an uplift in terms of the way they could learn.”
“So if you just think about the fact that people utilize a lot of digital communication today, it means that educators could use high-speed internet to stream videos, to do alternative learning methods. It means that, you know, the students are able to do research. It really provides a great catalyst.”
Meanwhile, about 35 schools in Phoenix north of Durban have had their water and electricity services restored.
The services had previously been disconnected because of historic debt owed to the eThekwini Municipality.
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department has since agreed to settle the outstanding debt.
Community activist Jonathan Annipen says the restoration of services is important for learners.
Annipen says, “In Phoenix, all schools that were disconnected, there was a list of about 35 schools, all schools that were—all of those 35 schools had their services reconnected as a result of the interventions between the Department of Education and eThekwini Municipality.”
The reconnection of services brings relief to schools that had been operating without water and electricity.
