KwaThema – The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted many divisions that exist in our society, one of which is the digital divide. This is according to Jabulani Nkosi from Beit Kodesh School Guidance Project. The digital divide refers to the number of people with access to high-speed internet and those without any connectivity. Jabulani said when the lockdown started earlier this year and schools had to close for the safety of learners and teachers, many schools shifted to online learning. “The Department of Education made online resources available, but many people cannot access it. Lots of people, especially those in rural areas, do not have access to high speed, broadband internet.

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“The reasons for this include the cost of data, access to equipment or just lack of infrastructure. There is therefore clearly a digital divide.” To address this need, Dr Reolyn Heymann, director of the Centre for Collaborative Digital Networks at the University of Johannesburg, collaborated with Nkosi to develop a small server that will make educational resources freely available. “These free access points allow anybody to use them as a free Wi-Fi point,” said Nkosi. Interested learners can download important study guides, past exam papers and videos. “The study materials can then be used at home. The system is not connected to the internet and this small network gives free access to valuable online resources to learners from Grade R to 12 and ABET,” added Nkosi. The two access points are currently available at the Swazi Supermarket in Makoe Street, Rest in Peace and at the Kwa-Thema Customer Care Centre, which is situated at the corner of Moshoeshoe and Tshaka streets, next to the fire station.

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Instructions to download content: 1. Switch off your mobile data 2. Switch on your Wi-Fi 3. Select “school” 4. Open your browser (Opera mini, Google Chrome or Safari) 5. Type: www.school.fyi 6. Choose a grade 7. Download and save to your phone, laptop or tablet. Follow us on: