Barriers of ICT integration in SA schools

Barriers to ICT integration in SA Schools

Barriers are stumbling blocks that prevent movement they can either be intrinsic or extrinsic. In this case we are looking at barriers that abstract South African schools to have ICT integration in their curriculum. Competence is one of the barriers. Involving ICT in a school will require commitment to always take good care of the computers and prepare productive lessons for the learners.One must have acquired computer skills because you cannot teach something that you do not know. Lack of access to resources is also a major barrier because some teachers have an idea about ICT but cannot access resources.
Another barrier is that these teachers are afraid of change and they do not have enough time. teachers do not use technological gadgets because they do not take enough time to explore and look at new things they are busy with schedules and day to day activities. They find it challenging to plan/conduct technological lessons, explore different sites to match the information and make sure its relevant to be given to learners. At the other hand they need to place technical problems. Time effects development.

Lack of technical support distracts the ICT integration in SA schools, teachers cannot overcome failure to connect to the internet or slow internet. My high school integrated ICT since we had a computer based CAT, We also had access to the internet doing all the work we needed to do. Lack of effective training is a barrier because teachers cannot teavh something they do not know. Government should provide teachers with opportunities to do computer classes so that they can train and use ICT in the classroom environment. Teachers need training regarding digital literacy to improve learners interest in learning so they can be eager to learn more new things.

My final school year at Mgudlwa FET, Mpumalanga

Mgudlwa FET is situated in Verena a township near Witbank. The place is situated in Mkobola Mpumalanga. The school is aged over 40 years. My parents, aunt and uncle studied there. It is a township with low economic growth, no mall but at least has enough schools, a clinic, a post office, a police station and a petrol station. The place is not fully developed but teachers try by all means to help learners in their education by having extra learning programs. Teachers come early in the morning to have 1hour morning classes sometimes afternoon classes even weekend classes. My matric subjects were; IsiNdebele, English, Mathematics, Life Orientation, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and CAT (Computer Applications Technology).

Teachers rewarding learners for their great work at school

I matriculated on 2013 at Mgudlwa FET. The class of 2013 was the best we even obtained 95% pass rate it was the first time the school has had such a high pass rate.  Our principal tried by all means to help us reach our dreams of completing matric with flying colours because he knew that will open doors for us in terms of careers we want to pursue. The school tried by all means to help us pass they even took us to a camp in September in a nearby home where disable people live since they were not around visiting their parents houses for the holidays.

We had a technological subject named CAT (Computer Applications Technology). We were exposed to working with a computer from grade 10-12. We studied Microsoft word, excel, power point and Microsoft access. We wrote online tests made projects whereby we researched about components of the computer. We would compare different kinds of computers to see which one is better based on their hardware components and software.