Teachers to rest insured with Santam
The Department of Basic Education (DoBE) recently launched the Teacher Laptop Initiative aimed at assisting every teacher to own and use a laptop. The initiative will provide the more than 350 000 teachers throughout the country with a monthly allowance which will cover the purchase costs as well as the costs of connectivity. The main objective is to improve the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning.
Against this background, South Africa’s leading short-term insurer, Santam, has offered to provide comprehensive all risk cover - at competitive monthly premiums - for any loss and damage to the laptops purchased through this initiative.
Dr. Nolwandle Mbalo, Head: Network Solutions at Santam, says: “We applaud the DoBE for acknowledging the importance of Internet access for teachers in order to obtain additional information for their learners. The teachers who qualify for the initiative are entitled to a R130 subsidy per month from the Department of Education which will include insurance from Santam.
The initiative presents Santam with an opportunity to provide access to insurance in the non-traditional market segments. Whilst the life and long term insurance markets have made significant inroads into this market, short-term insurance players have encountered additional challenges in penetrating this market. The success of this initiative will ultimately provide increased market share and visibility in the public sector market.
Purchases by teachers of laptops will be phased in from February 2010 with the primary aim of making laptops available to all teachers in the public education sector. This will improve the quality of teaching as teachers will have access to additional resources that can enhance learning and teaching in the classroom. All laptops will have Internet access and will be loaded with school administration and national curriculum software.
