SOUTH AFRICA SCHOOL COMPUTERS MARKED TO PREVENT THEFT CityVision-WC

15/11/2007 10:43 AM - (SA)
School computers marked to fight theft
JOHNSON MESI

THE Khanya Project hit back at computer crime syndicates by launching an aggressive method of fighting ITcrimes in township schools on Friday.

The project was launched in April 2001 by the department of education to boost teacher capacity through the use of technology in disadvantaged schools.

The aim was also to enhance the quality of the learning experience in the classroom by providing an opportunity for learners to benefit from a variety of learning styles.

Ingrid Graham, Khanya project spokesperson, said the launch of NICS D (National Independent Computer SerialNumber Database) aims to eliminate the theft of computer equipment from schools.

“To counter ruthless routes by computer crime syndicates we have also decided to take a ruthless me­thod to protect school equipment in the townships,” she said.

NICS D is a comprehensive register of computers, laptops and computer components.

Graham said in the event of theft, computers and computer components registered on NICS D can be traced and returned to their respective owners.

He said police have been trained to match the goods to the crime and follow through with the arrest of those involved.

Grahams said through such registration thieves and crime syndicates dealing in stolen computers can be identified, prosecuted and convicted.

She said Khanya was always planning one step ahead and aware of the crippling effects of IT theft in many of their schools.

“The Khanya project in conjunction with ITCrimes is being launched in 127 Khanya schools in the vulnerable Khayelitsha area in EMDC East.

All the computers and their components have been registered and on NICS D and labelled with a clearly visible sticker.

Graham said the frustration and disappointment caused by IT theft will hopefully be pre-empted in this way.

Kholisile Xonti. principal at Eluxolweni Primary School, said the launch was a good idea to minimise the stealing of computer equipment at their schools.

He said the idea was going to put an absolute stop to computer theft as they are now going to be traceable.