5th iNet International Conference, 26 28 November 2008

News about our South African partner, Khanya

The Western Cape education department's Khanya project is using technology to carry anti-xenophobia messages to school pupils.

The award-winning Khanya team installs computers and supports information and communication technology at schools.

Now it has launched a competition for the best anti-xenophobia screensaver, and the winning pupil is to receive a laptop.

About 400 schools have loaded anti-xenophobia screensavers and these have been seen by about 350 000 pupils.

The department's spokesperson, Paddy Attwell, said Khanya had decided to explore ways that its computer system at schools could be used to spread positive messages.

'Khanya schools now have about 35 439 computers. (These) could carry messages to encourage more than 713 000 learners to get along with each other and to commit themselves to mutual trust and respect,' Attwell said.

'Khanya partner Mecer has donated an interactive electronic whiteboard for the school that submits the most entries and a laptop for the learner who produces the best screensaver.'

Competition details have been sent to schools. The competition closes on July 31.

'Khanya facilitators will load screensavers when they visit schools,' Attwell said.

'Schools can download screensavers from the Khanya website at www.khanya.co.za.

'Schools can also download the software and instructions for making the screensavers from the site.'

The department has recently distributed xenophobia resource packs that are to be part of the material used in teaching life orientation as a subject. Its aim is to stimulate pupil discussion around the issues of refugees and xenophobia.