The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is not withdrawing the 88 000 tablets distributed to schools as part of its e-Learning Solution Programme.

The Tembisan reported in October last year (One student, one tablet), the MEC told pupils at Ikusasa Secondary School in Tembisa every pupil at the school will receive a tablet device when the school opens in 2015.

The Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi launched the Big Switch On project at Boitumelong Secondary School in Tembisa in January this year.

“The GDE has noted with concern media reports suggesting that the department will completely withdraw the 88 000 tablets distributed to schools as a result of these tablets being stolen from schools. This is incorrect,” said Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane.

The Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, announced that the department would retrieve these tables from schools to install them with additional security features e.g tracking devices and they will be returned back to schools.

Since the distribution of the 88 000 tablets over 3000 have been stolen. This prompted the MEC to temporarily retrieve them for the installation of  additional security features.

Of the approximately 6 200 tablets, with tracking devices deployed to the 7 schools this year, so far, 11 tablets have been stolen or lost and five were subsequently recovered.  Six tablets have not been switched on since they went missing and as a result, have not been recovered.

“The department is commited to implementing the paperless classroom project and nothing will stop our quest or derail our efforts of giving the learners of Gauteng the best possible education in our lifetime,” said Sekhonyane.