Digital platform brings a world of opportunity to SA’s youth

TELECOMS group MTN has extended its digital life to the classroom as the group launched a free online portal that provides a digital curriculum for Grades R to 12.

MTN SA chief executive Godfrey Motsa, with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, yesterday announced the launch of the MTN Online School.

The free e-learning project provides a comprehensive digital curriculum for Grades R to 12 and additional features such as video lessons, assessments and extra tuition for Grade 10 to 12 learners.

The MTN Online School aims to grow access to Department of Basic Education (DBE) curriculum-aligned educational content using a digital platform for Grade R to 12 learners and learners with special education needs (LSEN).

“With the MTN Online School we are digitising education by supplementing the education system. This is a supplement to all the great work done by all educators in the education system … We are extending our digital life to the classroom,” Motsa said.

The MTN Online School is focused on using the power of the digital world to supplement and support the physical classroom.

“Our vision for the schooling sector is anchored in the National Development Plan which recognises that education is the cornerstone upon which a nation that provides opportunities for social mobility, equity, social justice and democracy will depend.

“The MTN Online School is a fitfor-purpose digital tool to take our basic education to the next level. The online portal is agile, innovative and modern,” Motshekga said.

The e-learning project, which was developed in partnership with DBE and the National Education Collaboration Trust, is supported and housed on the MTN network and is zero-data rated for MTN customers, meaning it can be used without any data.

Motsa said there were over 20million people with smartphones, and the MTN network covered more than 96% of the South African population.

The minister said the department was conscious of the importance of ICT in education prior to the outbreak of Covid-19. After the disruptions caused by Covid-19, she said, “we are going to be able to build back better and reboot our system through this system.”

MTN SA's executive for corporate affairs, Jacqui O'Sullivan, said the group was investing in technology, digital innovation and financial solutions aimed at enhancing lives and creating better outcomes for all.

The video lessons will be provided with a sign language interpreter to accommodate deaf learners.