User registration on the Vodacom e-School platform since schools closed as a result of the COVID-19 crisis has been unprecedented over the past two weeks. The total number of registered users is now close to 1-million.
On Sunday 15 March, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a raft of measures to protect the country from the spread of the COVID-19. Schools closed from Wednesday, 18 March until after Easter Holidays. This meant that parents had to find alternative methods to help their children continue learning during the extended school break.
The impact on Vodacom e-School has been dramatic: during this time, user registrations on the platform are up by over 1000%. Content utilisation increased by 300% over previous averages, with Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Accounting topping the charts.
The massive sudden increase in registration started on Sunday, 15 March, with Vodacom e-School going from an average of 40 000 student events per day to a peak of close to 150 000.
The strong growth is fuelled by a strong uptake from learners in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The growth in registrations and usage is expected to continue.
Takalani Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs for Vodacom Group says: “Supporting education is the main focus of the Vodacom Foundation so we are encouraged by the phenomenal growth of new subscribers signing up on the free e-School learning platform.
“This demonstrates that the platform is addressing a societal need at a time when the private sector needs to join hands with government as it contends with COVID-19. It is also clear that our message to parents and guardians to encourage learners to continue with their studies by using Vodacom e-School has been heeded and that they are finding the platform useful.
“Our e-School platform is in line with Vodacom’s ongoing drive to help provide ICT tools and internet connectivity to communities that do not have access.”
Vodacom e-School is a free, unlimited online education portal that provides educational content for learners from grade R to 12. These include assignments, quizzes and interactive learning videos. The content is fully aligned to the Department of Basic Education National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement and is available in all 11 South African languages. The platform is accessible via mobile and desktop, free of charge to Vodacom customers.
Vodacom launched the e-learning platform in 2014, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education. The online digital education portal provides educational content that is fully aligned to the Department of Basic Education Curriculum (CAPS) in all 11 South African official languages for learners from grades R to 12.
To access the facility, visit www.vodacom.co.za/e-school from a cell phone, tablet or laptop to register.