The Gauteng Department of Finance (GDF) announced the bid winners for the revamped Gauteng Online project, now called the e-Learning Solution.

Moving away from the former desktop computers, the e-Learning Solution will supply tablets and connectivity to 2 200 public schools in the province.

Huawei Technologies was awarded a R289 million contract to provide 88 000 10-inch tablets, while Cloudseed, which is the current Gauteng Online service provider, was awarded a R107 million contract to provide WiFi and 3G connectivity for a period of two years.

Earlier this year, Gauteng finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe announced the redesign of the project, so that all learners would have their own devices, such as tablets, smartphones or netbooks. This would ensure pupils have all their e-books, as well as their curriculum content, readily available.

The end of the current service provider’s contract, which was supposed to run out at the end of June, was to signal the inception of the e-Learning Solution. However, the department was unable to finalise the tender processes in procuring new suppliers for the e-Learning Solution by the proposed deadline, and was forced to extend Cloudseed’s contract until the end of July.

Nkomfe announced Cloudseed’s contract has yet again been extended, this time until the end of November, to allow for the rebranded e-Learning Solution to be implemented.