The Enabling Environment

The purpose of the Broadband project is to bring fast internet into the school environment which is a game-changer for the WCED. In general, the installation of Fibre Optics / Wireless broadband connections in WCED schools will provide fast and reliable internet.

The broader purpose of the Schools LAN Project is to enable teachers and learners in each of the instructional rooms in your school, to access the Broadband connectivity. The installation is both cable-based and wireless. This is then part of the bigger eLearning Initiative at your school, which enables the school to access online teaching and learning resources. We have however discovered that a number of schools with functional LANs require assistance in logging teachers and learners onto this new network. The section that follows offers schools such guidance.

In very general terms wireless and Wi-Fi are the same thing in that they allow devices to connect to the Internet without a cable. The functionality and end result is effectively the same. The difference is in the method of connectivity. Wi-Fi is a terminology that refers to short range wireless connection to a broadband connection. Wireless connectivity refers to connecting devices using cellular technology.

In order to access the internet via the Local Area Network (LAN), learners and teachers need to log on using assigned usernames and passwords (this is referred to as their “user credentials”).

Please note that:

• Teachers will be granted access using their PERSAL numbers
• Learners will be assigned unique user credentials which can be accessed on CEMIS
• Visitors or governing body appointed staff will be granted access by schools completing a Staff Request Form and emailing it to SchoolsIT.ServiceDesk@westerncape.gov.za.

In order to access learner user credentials via CEMIS please browse to the following location:

• Reports
• Broadband connectivity
• Login Credentials

• Open CEMIS in your browser.
• Please note that you will find a “Broadband connection guide”, “Introduction” and “Staff Request Form” under the “Broadband connectivity” tab.
• These guides provide step-by-step processes to follow towards getting teachers or learners connected either using their own devices or devices that the school may have for use.
• The login can be done on most mobile device types and recognises the user and not the device. One user could therefore login using any of the different devices they may have.

Download the LAN Implementation Connection Training Guide and the LAN User Credential Guide for easy access.

All teachers of ordinary public and special schools have been given access to a provincial school email address through an Office 365 online account. This is a web-based version of Microsoft’s Office Suite.

• The Office 365 online account gives teachers access to the full bouquet of Office 365 online applications.
• This access includes Microsoft Teams, which is an application enabling collaboration and teamwork.
• Staff across the WCED will thus be able to chat by instant messaging, video calling, voice calling, file-sharing, engaging in virtual meetings and real-time collaboration.

• The first-time LOGIN details will be made available to the school principal on CEMIS to share with the staff of the school.
• Teachers whose details have not been captured on CEMIS will not have access to MS Teams or their new email account until their details are captured and updated on CEMIS.
• Should any of the teachers’ details be captured on CEMIS and no login credentials are displayed, schools will have to report it to the schools’ IT Service helpdesk (021 834 4690).

Please be advised that the use of the service and the provincial email are intended for professional, school or education-related engagements only.

A guide on how to set up your new Office 365 account for the first time can be downloaded from the WCED Schools IT Website. A guide on how to access your Office 365 online account on your desktop, laptop and/or mobile device is also available. This is the second step in setting up. Should technical assistance be needed, please send communication via an email: to schoolsit.servicedesk@westerncape.gov.za or WhatsApp 021 900 7123. Note: The new Schools’ IT Service Desk contact number is: 021 834 4690.

Several related training opportunities are provided through the following components: Provincial WCG ICT Training Unit, Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI), the Directorate eLearning and the district eLearning advisory teams.

The ICT Training Unit and The Centre for e-Innovation (CEI) in the Department of the Premier (DotP) have developed an online MS Teams Orientation training course which is available at https://icttraining.westerncape.gov.za/moodle.

Teachers who complete this self-paced course will develop the know-how to collaborate and communicate from anywhere, virtually, and on any device at any time (the course is not location- or time-bound). Scan the following QR code into your smart phone to access the How-to-get-started guide.

For additional information on training opportunities contact your district eLearning advisers.

• Antivirus protection and the maintenance of devices are the user’s responsibility.
• No devices will be allowed to join the domain or browse the network.
• Users will only be allowed to use a browser to connect to the internet or LMS (Learning Management System) in the cloud.
• ALL internet traffic will be monitored.
• All users will be subject to the school’s AUP (Acceptable User Policy) that will govern the use of the WCGSCHOOLS network.

If you encounter any technical challenge, or you need further information please log your request with the Schools IT Service Desk:

Fault reporting at Schools IT Service Desk (not to WCG, SITA, LIT or BNC):

Telephone: 021 900 7123
Email: SchoolsIT.ServiceDesk@westerncape.gov.za
WhatsApp: 021 900 7123

See the information poster here.

• Your Name and Surname
• Education District
• Name of School
• Contact telephone number (landline and cell number)
• Email Address
• Detailed Problem Description

District Support Staff

The District eLearning teams, consisting of eAdvisors and Project Managers, are geared to support schools with the integration of eLearning in everyday classroom activities. Schools are requested to make contact with the project managers should they experience LAN-related challenges.

Head Office Support Staff