By:Optentia research unit

A groundbreaking initiative aimed at closing the digital divide in schools across Africa is making significant strides. The project, named Tswala! – a Setswana word meaning "closing" – seeks to bridge the gap between students, teachers and the world by integrating digital tools into classrooms. Its goal is to transform education by providing students and teachers with the technology needed to engage in modern, interactive learning.

In 2023, the International Health Awareness Network (IHAN), in partnership with the Optentia research unit, donated R200 000 worth of Galaxy tablets to Eloff Primary School near Delmas.

This donation was part of a larger effort to support the digital transformation of education and was co-created with input from the school’s teachers. The aim of this donation is to help the school better equip its learners to engage with educational content, to interact with one another, and to connect with the wider world.

Building on the success of this pilot project, IHAN plans to expand the initiative to 100 schools across Africa. Many schools in the region still face significant challenges in accessing digital technology, with traditional teaching methods often being the norm. This project seeks to overcome those barriers by providing students and educators with essential digital tools.

In 2024, the initiative saw further collaboration as academics from the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Education joined forces with IHAN’s founder, Dr Sorosh Roshan, and secretary Leila Farshchian. The team revisited Eloff Primary School to assess the impact of the tablets and expanded the programme to other schools.

Among the new beneficiaries was Kamagugu Primary School in Mbombela, which specialises in educating children with significant disabilities. The school received tablets to enhance learning for its students.

Additionally, Ntolo High School, located near Garankuwa, also benefited from the donation of tablets. Destinata School in Meyerton, which caters to children with learning barriers, was provided with laptops to support specialised software for students with hearing difficulties.

Ntolo High School’s principal, Mr SJ Phillips, expressed his gratitude. “I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of tablets to our school. Your contribution has not only equipped our classrooms with valuable technology, but has also opened new doors of opportunity for our students,” he said.

“These tablets will transform the way our learners engage with education. With access to digital tools and resources, our students are now better equipped to explore

interactive learning, enhance their skills, and stay connected in an increasingly digital world.”

The future of the Tswala! project looks promising, with plans to distribute more technology to as many schools as possible across the country and continent. The initiative also aims to intensify support for the four schools that have already received gadgets.

This project represents a vital step forward in ensuring that all students, regardless of location or background, have access to the digital tools needed to succeed in the modern world.

Join in the journey the Tswala! project team took to Destinata School:

Children at Eloff Primary School are using the tablets donated by the International Health Awareness Network.