Project stalls - Computer plan may not succeed

[rpm]

Project stalls - Computer plan may not succeed

The Gauteng department of education’s aim to ensure all pupils in the province are computer literate by 2013 might not be realised.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Lemme guess - somebody's enriching himself again?

 

[Nomino]

Please help me understand this:

Gauteng Shared Services Centre awarded SMMT a R2million tender to install 25-seat computer labs to at least 400 schools by September last year.

That is 25 computers * 400 schools = 10,000 computers for R2,000,000

Where does one buy a computer for R200?

Either this article is a crock of sh*t or it is evidence of the great mathematical capabilities of South Africa.

 

[tjunyat]

On why they did not reach their targets, he said: “As the roll-out model was changed fundamentally, the focus has been on establishing the central service node and the local service nodes.

“The delivery network is central in ensuring the achievement of the key outcomes of the programme. The programme was thus re-prioritised to accommodate this reality.”

What a load of hot air. That explains nothing and is just a waste of time to read.

SMMT spokesman Kgomotso Mogoshoa said: “The company inherited a bad product.

Excuses excuses.

“We had to reassess our plans and realised that we could not deliver on time. We will deliver to 80percent of the schools by March 31.”

This, at least, is more than many other companies that do any large projects in SA seems to be doing, so well done for that.

Mogoshoa could not say when the rest of the schools would be connected.

Typical.

“What is also hampering delivery is that in some schools we had to build labs as there were no spare classrooms.

Fair enough, but then why the hot air answer(s) earlier?

“The department said the containers we wanted to install in schools posed a health hazard to pupils.”

Seriously? A health hazard? And we only discovered this how far into the project? Great research SA guavamunt!

 

[Arthur]

Please help me understand this:

Gauteng Shared Services Centre awarded SMMT a R2million tender to install 25-seat computer labs to at least 400 schools by September last year.

That is 25 computers * 400 schools = 10,000 computers for R2,000,000

Where does one buy a computer for R200?

Either this article is a crock of sh*t or it is evidence of the great mathematical capabilities of South Africa.

Perhaps rather the typographical capabilities of journalists and editors. It's R20m. I'm pretty sure major vendors are also coming to the party through CSR sponsorships.

 

[retromodcoza]

Perhaps rather the typographical capabilities of journalists and editors. It's R20m. I'm pretty sure major vendors are also coming to the party through CSR sponsorships.

Sponsorships incl , R2000 per computer including installation is also pushing it. What did these guys get , p3 machines?

 

[elmorya]

Gauteng Shared Services Centre awarded SMMT
25 years in the Computer business & never heard of SMMT - Just how do these companies, SMMT, Simunyae Computers, etc score these huge contracts?
Spooky.......

 

[Alastairo]

Must be running oss at that price.

 

[Roadrunner]

I know of several schools where the PCs got new 'owners' soon after they were installed.

Always factor in how to combat "Africa-syndrome" before rolling out a project such as this guys...

 

[francoislr]

Even our cheapest thin client quote came to way more than R2000 a unit...Think that's without screens, so how the heck they are doing it, I dunno...Then our networking guys charge R350 a network point...Which is another R8750...Never mentioning the server the thinnies run on..

So let me do some sums...R20 000 000 / 10 000 = R2 000 per unit. Networking just happens? And container/box/classroom is free?

Yeah, crock of feces this seems to be.

If there was a cheaper solution for computers, an affordable one, things would be much better. But I don't see that happening easily. Unless India comes up with a $20 laptop that is actually usable.

Well, all we can do is hope and pray. You never know...Maybe someone will invent a tree that grows laptops.

 

[vodacom3g]

Some numbers I saw put the construction of a computer lab in a typical school at about a R1M.

- R300K for all the kit,
- R300K to secure the facility (including secure ceilings, etc.)
- The rest to run it for a period.

That's one of the reasons I liked the Streetwise terminal concept a lot. It cuts the above costs drastically.

- Less than 100K for all the kit.
- Cost of a safe to store it.
- Very little ongoing maintance.

 

[Xyber]

What a load of hot air. That explains nothing and is just a waste of time to read.
...
Fair enough, but then why the hot air answer(s) earlier?
...
Seriously? A health hazard? And we only discovered this how far into the project? Great research SA guavamunt!

With you on this. While I was reading that part I where like; wtf, he is not saying anything. They should stop spitting nothingness into the air and say it like it is. I can understand security being an issues, like a member previously posted about computers starting to disappear after being installed. The health issues make sense but as said, great planning.

 

[moosag]

Unfortunately I feel sorry for the youth in this Country. It's no secret that our Government lacks the capability and capacity to envision, plan and deliver on basic projects. Whether this is due to lack of skills, corruption, laziness or whatever... The unfortunate part is that the youth will have to suffer. I mean its 2009 and kids don't have access to computers?? I MEAN COME ON!!! That is absolutely and totally bull!

Our leaders have no gumption. They useless. They probably feel that it is not that important to have computers in school. They believe that because they themselves are computer illiterate! When The **** is GVT gonna realize Computers & Internet(Broadband) are the bloody future!!!!

 

[<moLe>]

this is not merely tradgic, its a dissaster. Apart from the facct that these days first world countries see "internet" as a right, compared to SA were access to a computer is apparently still a "rare privelege" to some. And what does this mean to our countries future, how well can we fare in a "digital world" were markets are going more and more computerized daily with generations of computer iliterate pupils?
These days teaching kids computer literacy should be as important as teaching them maths, if not even more so.
And I dont know if you guys saw the chunk of our tax the Department of education takes out of our taxes yearly, but I reckon they can do better than this. Actually i'd like to know exactly where that money is going to, because looking at public schools today I am shocked, teachers underpayed, kids in the dark ages and their studying materials content degrading.........its time the public start taking more interest in exactly what the goverment is doing with our tax.

 

[elmorya]

I mean its 2009 and kids don't have access to computers?? I MEAN COME ON!!!
Just to put this in perspective - I attended a Parents Meeting at Midrand Primary, where my child attends and the Principal & Exco publicly stated that they wanted to introduce "stick fighting" at the school. Can you BELIEVE that? Of all the extra mural activities available - THEY WANT TO CHOOSE THAT - I would have promptly taken my kid out if I could afford private school fees.

 

[Th0r]

just another sad example of the bunch of idiots that has been running this country for the last couple of years...

Have any of you seen the ANC election boards they put up

"toghether we can do more"

Some oke in midrand spray painted to the bottom of that phrase"stealing/theft"

lol

What a joke of a goverment do we have?

the mere fact that zuma is running for president is a cheezy joke

 

[Nod]

I mean its 2009 and kids don't have access to computers?? I MEAN COME ON!!!
Just to put this in perspective - I attended a Parents Meeting at Midrand Primary, where my child attends and the Principal & Exco publicly stated that they wanted to introduce "stick fighting" at the school. Can you BELIEVE that? Of all the extra mural activities available - THEY WANT TO CHOOSE THAT - I would have promptly taken my kid out if I could afford private school fees.

Insist on "kleilat" and slingshot as alternatives, in order to cater for all cultures. Don't want the school to step on somebodies culture, now do we?

 

[microduma]

... the Principal & Exco publicly stated that they wanted to introduce "stick fighting" at the school.

This com' principal is a visionary. If I understand correctly, 'Stick Fighting' is expected to be elevated from a compulsory extra mural for boys, to a compulsory matric subject by 2013; Tswane University of Technology (TUT) is already giving preference to entrants with a casual knowledge of this noble ancient art. Everybody should know how to bliksem those who deserve it the most by adulthood: teachers, parents, women and children.

 

[MaD]

- R300K to secure the facility (including secure ceilings, etc.)

Why don't they just build them next to a police station? Oh wait.......

 

[Gaz{M}]

It is very common for these companies to bid low on government contracts, get chosen due to their quote and BEE status, then fail to deliver fully. By then the salaries and kickbacks are long gone.