An ambitious R686-million e-learning project in the Eastern Cape has collapsed, with thousands of tablets intended for matric learners either lost, stolen, or left gathering dust in school cupboards. An internal 2024 report by the Eastern Cape Department of Education confirmed the failure of the programme, which was launched in March 2021 to bridge the digital divide for pupils in the province.
Management Failures And Asset Losses
The Auditor-General of South Africa has formally flagged the project, citing a severe lack of asset management and inadequate monitoring of the devices. Investigators found that the distribution logistics were deeply flawed, leaving schools without the security protocols necessary to prevent the loss or theft of the expensive hardware.
The project was poorly conceptualised and failed to take into account the reality of schools without electricity or internet connectivity.
This assessment came from an education policy researcher whose findings mirror the Auditor-General’s concerns regarding the project’s viability. The absence of basic infrastructure meant that many tablets were never integrated into the classroom, effectively rendering the multi-million rand investment useless.
Departmental Response And Future Outlook
Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Mali Mtumane admitted the project failed to meet its stated objectives. He stated during a media briefing that the department is currently reviewing the recovery and distribution processes to address the widespread mismanagement.
The department is yet to provide a full accounting of how many devices were stolen versus those that remain simply unused in storage. We are checking with the provincial department for an updated recovery timeline and will report back on any further audit findings as they are released.