The Role of E-Governance and ICT in Basic Education: Implications for Social Justice

Abstract

e-Governance is a mechanism that a government can utilise within all three spheres of government to provide efficient and effective public services. Access to education, particularly amongst underprivileged learners, can be promoted through information and communications technology (ICT). In South Africa, social justice strives to ensure that every child has access to fair education that will enable them to thrive in socio-economic aspects as adults. The application of ICT in education is one mechanism that can ensure that learners are prepared for the world of work in the 21st century. Furthermore, adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution ensures citizens benefit from technological advancements. Reform is also required for the government to modernise itself and use technology to optimise service delivery. This article highlights the importance of e-governance and ICT in education, following an investigation into the role of these factors in promoting social justice. The research approach was qualitative. A single case study design, with two observation units, was adopted. Ten research participants were selected from a group of experienced educators, senior education administrators, and ICT professionals. The research participants were selected based on their knowledge and experience through purposive and snowball sampling. The outcomes of the investigation suggest that e-governance can effectively promote social justice; however, the implementation of policies must be executed in such a manner that buy-in from stakeholders is obtained from the early stages of the implementation phases. The common obstacles to implementing e-governance and ICT in education, especially in underprivileged areas, are ICT infrastructure, financial cost and training.