On 1 August 2024, iSchoolAfrica commemorates 15 years of driving educational change across South Africa. Since its inception, iSchoolAfrica has leveraged the world’s best technology and educational practices to reduce inequalities, enhance opportunities for exceptional employment, and stimulate economic growth.
iSchoolAfrica’s 15 years of success and sustainability stem from an unwavering commitment to making quality technology affordable and accessible. A key element of the programme is the rotation of mobile iPad labs from classroom to classroom – ensuring accessibility, security, longevity, usability, and durability.
The technology solution has a remarkable 5% failure rate, which demonstrates the reliability and durability of their technology. With iPads lasting an estimated 5-6 years within school environments, iSchoolAfrica ensures minimal downtime in schools, contributing to uninterrupted learning and significant cost savings on technical support. This is boosted by the iPads’ Mobile Device Management system, which allows for quick and easy remote support.
By upskilling and empowering project champions to execute programs independently, iSchoolAfrica ensures lasting, impactful education solutions with zero compromise on quality and best practices. The fact that there is no compromise gives educators and learners alike the confidence that they matter and this is seen through the improved engagement and performance of the students.
Over the last 15 years, against all odds we’ve achieved some incredible things, inspiring teachers to love their jobs again, helping children discover their love of learning through iPad lessons, while sparking hope for countless young learners’ futures.
Michelle Lissoos, Executive Director, iSchoolAfrica
Through strategic collaborations with partners, iSchoolAfrica equips South Africa’s youth with the tools needed to thrive. The initiative focuses on under-resourced township and rural schools, from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Grade 12, including mainstream and special needs education. Each school receives a secure mobile lab of 20 iPads, loaded with curriculum software and teacher training and mentoring. The built-in accessibility features of iPads also support children with disabilities, ensuring inclusive education for all.
Another key aspect to iSchoolAfrica’s endurance has been the partnerships it has formed along the way. Growthpoint is one such long-term partner, having supported over 25 schools since 2014.
In order for us to provide support for education, we also needed to ensure that we provide a digital solution. You want to ensure that you are future proofing the youth of South Africa.
Shawn Theunissen, Head, Growthpoint CSR
Since its launch, iSchoolAfrica has reached all nine provinces in South Africa, impacting 341 schools and training over 3,000 teachers — impacting over 100,000 learners. Later this year, in partnership with the Imbeleko Foundation, they plan to launch the first Apple Training Authorised Centre in Africa, located in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal.
