Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 9(7), pp. 1430 - 1438
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2021.090709
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Creation of Sustainable Learning Environments in South African Rural Schools: A Call for Effective Implementation of ICTs

Jogymol Kalariparampil Alex ^*
Faculty of Educational Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, South Africa

ABSTRACT

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are the core of the digital economy and could be important catalysts for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which can improve people's lives. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises the great potential of global connectivity to accelerate human progress. ICT has become an integral part of educational development as it enhances the efficiency and productivity of both teaching and learning of any subject. Though remarkable progress has been made in terms of access to ICT integrated education in South Africa, the issue of its reaching every rural school student and teacher has not been resolved. Against this backdrop, this paper looks at learning environments and the use of ICTs in rural schools in the Eastern Cape, a rural South African province, through an empirical quantitative study; and calls for creating sustainable learning environments through the effective implementation and use of ICTs. Data on the learning environments in Eastern Cape schools were collected from three different sources. A sample of university students and school teachers provided information on the ICT environment in schools. Government reports on ICT integrated teaching that shed light on the vision and planning of the creation of sustainable learning environments in rural education contexts, were also analysed. It is concluded that computer access and other forms of technology have dramatically increased in South Africa, however, the level of classroom utilization of technology does not correlate with this significant rise in rural schools. This calls for audacious investments to be accomplished in two major aspects: networking the classrooms with internet facilities and equipping the teachers with ICT implementation in the classrooms. Only then can sustainable learning environments in the rural schools be comprehended in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in South Africa.

KEYWORDS
ICTs in Education, Sustainable Development, Rural Schools

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Jogymol Kalariparampil Alex , "Creation of Sustainable Learning Environments in South African Rural Schools: A Call for Effective Implementation of ICTs," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 9, No. 7, pp. 1430 - 1438, 2021. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2021.090709.

(b). APA Format:
Jogymol Kalariparampil Alex (2021). Creation of Sustainable Learning Environments in South African Rural Schools: A Call for Effective Implementation of ICTs. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 9(7), 1430 - 1438. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2021.090709.