Despite significant government investment, many rural schools in South Africa still lack the ICT infrastructure needed to support and enhance mathematics education. Currently, 66% of schools don’t have computer centers, and less than 10% of math educators have computers in their classrooms. This lack of access to technology is leaving rural students at a major disadvantage, hindering effective teaching and learning.

Without ICT, rural learners miss out on interactive tools like online tutorials and digital games, while educators, who lack training and resources, are stuck using outdated methods. To make matters worse, most available resources are in English, creating additional barriers for non-English-speaking students and teachers.

Key recommendations to address these challenges:

1. Revise ICT Distribution Standards: Allocate resources based on the unique needs of rural schools, factoring in socio-economic and infrastructure challenges.

2. IT Technicians or Training: Hire IT technicians for rural areas or provide comprehensive training for existing staff to manage ICT systems.

3. Specialized Training for Math Educators: Offer targeted training to help math teachers integrate digital tools into their lessons.

4. Develop and Localize Resources: Create and localize educational content in South Africa’s official languages, making it accessible for all.

Call to Action

Support these recommendations to ensure that all students, regardless of where they live, have equitable access to quality math education. Together, we can bridge the digital divide in South Africa’s rural schools.

Click here to read the full policy brief.