The recent improved matric pass rate of 67,8% has been largely welcomed within all sectors of South African society, with some also calling for attempts to bridge the enormous divides that exists in the local education system to boost the pass rate even further this year. 

 

Attempts such as these aiming to bring improved services and facilities to the rural areas have been launched locally, such as Streetwise that was developed, manufactured and tested over a 2½ year period by The Content Company.

 

Streetwise launched in February last year and as of March 2010, the schools where it has been implemented have downloaded 30 000 Wikipedia and South African Encyclopedia articles using just 150 Streetwise units distributed to five schools across the country, thanks to a sponsorship by Nashua Mobile.

 

 

The company aims to assist in bridging the digital divide by delivering online information and e-mail services where these aren’t available or considered economically unfeasible to do so. This text based e-mail and information terminal system connects underprivileged schools to live online information, without the complications normally associated with using modern computers in these areas.

 

“Streetwise does not require broadband, good access to power, decent infrastructure nor significant technical support to work and keep working. The devices have been designed to operate under the worst of conditions and because they communicate via GPRS, they work everywhere”, said Ian Harrison, CEO of The Content Company. 

 

“We hope to reach half of the estimated 18 000 schools without access to the internet over the next two years, with the support of private companies and government departments of course”.

 

Online encyclopedias as well as a dictionary in multiple languages, e-mail, news, curriculum-based worksheets and a variety of other teaching and learning tools are available from reputable content providers via Streetwise and The Content Company is constantly adding more content to the Streetwise server.

 

One of the latest editions is the content that loveLife, a local HIV-prevention programme targeting young people, is sharing with Streetwise. It has been designed to not only provide learners with practical information on topics such as HIV testing and knowing their sexual health rights, but also focuses on related critical issues such as self-esteem.

 

“Young people who feel that they can really be someone and recognise their worth, are less likely to put themselves at risk for HIV”, said Esther Etkin, communications manager of loveLife.