The digital divide brings back the harsh realities of the inequalities of society especially for learners in South Africa. While the internet is bringing untold benefits to those few schools who have access, the vast majority of learners in this country are being left behind. This is compounded by the current crisis in education where technically Grade 12 learners are being certificated as unemployable as their qualifications does not provide them with sufficient skills to enter the job market. They are relegated to become yet another lost generation and have to be trained before seeking meaningful employment if they are fortunate enough.

The original alpha version of the My YESA Passport was funded by SAFIPA. This served as an important working model of what could be achieved in terms of the tracking system to identify individuals with talent. A recent development has been the commissioning of BSmrt and Every1Mobile to develop a MXit version with some exciting prospects. Though funding has been a limitation, YESA can no longer afford to wait for a significant investment to launch this important tool. Based on limited resources a stripped down version has been commissioned and should be available in time for the SciFest in Grahamstown early in May 2011.

The core essentials will include:

• Free registration for all users as part of their ‘visa’ for 2011
• Opportunities to assimilate Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) stamps for
  o   Formal activities (Expos, Olympiads, competitions, etc)
  o   Informal activities (on-line science experiment, SciFest, presentations, etc)

• Access information on simple science experiments online and earn stamps
• Be provided with bite-sized chunks of educational material

Over the next 6 months FabKids training will also take place in all the FabLabs around the country for which learners can earn unique stamps. Additional training will take place in association with the Mobile FabLab in the Port Elizabeth region during this period. The total number of FabKids to be reached during this period will be approximately 500. Through the association with BSmrt it is anticipated that the YESA community could grow in excess of 50 000 registered users during this period. The goal is to establish a community of practice of over 500 000 active users per annum. YESA will continue to strive to source further funds to achieve a self-sustainable system within 5 years.

Given the prospects of learners being able to interact with this portal literally from the back seat of a taxi 24/7, the My YESA Passport is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of many learners. They will receive quality educational content, be kept up-to-date with many STEMI-related activities, be able to operate in a vibrant social network, while developing a longitudinal profile over their school career. It is this data that can used to identify individuals with talent who can be fast tracked through the system.

Watch this space!