MEC Gade, MTN launch digital lab at Dalasile school

The Eastern Cape Department of Education, led by MEC Fundile Gade, has partnered with the MTN SA Foundation to hand over a new multi-media centre at Mzikayise Dalasile Secondary School in the Chris Hani East District.

The handover forms part of what officials describe as a broader push to strengthen digital learning across the province through long-term collaboration rather than once-off interventions.

A fully equipped digital learning space

The newly introduced facility includes a fully customised 20-seater computer laboratory, designed to support both learners and educators in a structured digital environment.

According to the department, the centre is equipped with:

• 20 learner computer stations and one educator workstation
• Internet connectivity for 24 months
• Maintenance and technical support for two years
• Teacher training and onboarding onto MTN’s online learning platform
• Classroom upgrades, including security, furniture, and electrical readiness

The initiative is intended to ensure that the infrastructure is not only installed, but also supported and sustained over time.

Focus on long-term education transformation

The project forms part of the province’s broader education strategy, which aims to expand access to digital learning tools while improving teaching outcomes.

Officials say the partnership is aligned with the Eastern Cape’s Educational Transformation Plan and E-Learning Strategy, with a focus on building a more resilient and modern education system.

The department emphasised that the approach is designed to go beyond infrastructure delivery, instead focusing on integrating technology into everyday teaching and learning.

Bridging the digital divide

The introduction of the multi-media centre is also aimed at addressing long-standing inequalities in access to digital resources, particularly in under-resourced communities.

By providing both equipment and training, the initiative seeks to improve digital literacy among learners while strengthening educators’ ability to deliver curriculum-aligned content using technology.

The department said the programme is guided by the principle that access to quality education should not be determined by a learner’s location.

Building future-ready learners

The partnership highlights a growing reliance on public-private collaboration to support education in the province, particularly in areas where schools may lack resources.

Officials believe that initiatives like this can help prepare learners for a digital future, while also boosting confidence and participation in modern learning environments.

The project is expected to play a role in improving both access to information and overall educational outcomes in the district.