| Title | Chapter 8: Impact of digital inequality on service delivery in African higher education |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2025.BK494.08 |
| Landing page | https://books.aosis.co.za/index.php/ob/catalog/book/494 |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ |
| Copyright | Nobert R Jere, Gardner Mwansa, Memory Ranga, Attlee M Gamundani & Pardon B Maoneke (eds.) Licensee: AOSIS (Pty) Ltd. The moral right of the editors and authors has been asserted. |
| Publisher | AOSIS |
| Published on | 2025-04-11 |
| Long abstract | Integrating digital technology in education promises to revolutionise learning and teaching, particularly in Africa’s diverse and divided educational landscape. By leveraging digital platforms, students can access learning materials without the need of physical textbooks, aiming to level the educational playing field. Despite these advances, digital inequality remains a significant hurdle, with disparities in Internet access, infrastructure and digital literacy exacerbating educational inequalities across the continent. This chapter delves into the effects of digital inequality in African higher education institutions. A systematic literature review of documents retrieved from the Scopus and IEEE Xplore databases was conducted to understand the issue in depth and identify unique regional challenges. Findings indicate that the shortages of digital devices and infrastructure are significant barriers to educational achievement. Additionally, digital inequality limits opportunities for parents to support their children because of low digital literacy. This chapter highlights the complexities of digital inequality and its implications for educational service delivery, emphasising the urgency of addressing these disparities to ensure equitable access to education in the digital age. |
| Print length | 14 pages |
| Language | English (Original) |
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Courage Matobobo holds a PhD from the University of South Africa. Matobobo is a lecturer in the Department of Business and Application Development at Walter Sisulu University, where he teaches information and communication technology (ICT) modules. He has over 13 years of experience in lecturing, having taught at various institutions before joiningWalter Sisulu University. He has presented his research at local and international conferences and supervises postgraduate students in the field of ICT. Matobobo’s research has been published in book chapters and accredited journals, and his interests span social media, ICT4D, data mining, system dynamics and information systems. He is a member of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) and the UK Academy for Information Systems (UKAIS).
Godwin P Dzvapatsva holds a PhD from the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). Dzvapatsva is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Suffolk in the United Kingdom. Prior to joining the University of Suffolk, he taught in the Department of Information and Communication Technology at Walter Sisulu University. While working at one of the rural campuses of Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape province, he recognised the need for research focused on digital services and inequality in service provision, particularly in education.
Dzvapatsva’s key research areas include sustainability, informatics and physical computing. He has worked extensively in the technical vocational sector and ICT coding boot camps and has authored three textbooks that are currently in use within the TVET sector in South Africa. Over the years, he has gained substantial experience in curriculum development and creating equitable learning environments. Additionally, he has undertaken several BPO projects in the Western Cape province.
Ricky M Ngandu is a lecturer currently based at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa. Ngandu holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in ICT from the University of Cape Town, where his academic journey laid the foundation for his specialisation in key areas of the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Ngandu’s research focuses primarily on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and ICT4D, exploring how technological advancements can be leveraged to address societal challenges, particularly in developing regions. He has extensive experience teaching various undergraduate and graduate ICT modules and is passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry. His efforts in preparing upcoming ICT professionals for the demands of the workplace are greatly appreciated. Beyond Ngandu’s teaching responsibilities, he actively contributes to the academic community. He has published his research in several recognised international journals and presented his work at conferences related to his research niche, further establishing his reputation as a thought leader in his field. In recognition of Ngandu’s expertise, he is a professional member of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA), an organisation dedicated to upholding professional standards in the IT industry. This designation is SAQA-registered and IFIP IP3-accredited, reflecting his commitment to maintaining high levels of competence and integrity in the ICT sector.
Nomputumo L Ngesimani holds an MA degree in Information Technology from CPUT and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from the University of the Western Cape(UWC), South Africa, specialising in software development. At the time of writing this book, Ngesimani was a PhD candidate at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa. Additionally, she is a lecturer in the Department of Business and Application Development at Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. Before joining WSU, she taught at Rosebank College in the Department of ICT in Cape Town. Alongside her university experience, she worked as an analyst programmer at Old Mutual in Cape Town for several years. Ngesimani is also a member of the curriculum development committee at Walter Sisulu University. Her key research areas include digital technology, informatics, information systems, ICT in education and ICT4D.
Hlanganani S Sibanda is an accomplished academic specialising in development finance, focusing on strategies that address real-life obstacles faced by marginalised populations in developing countries. With eight years of teaching experience, Sibanda has taught modules in Economics and Econometrics. Sibanda is dedicated to fostering a supportive and technology-infused learning environment, encouraging students to engage critically with their studies and develop a lifelong passion for learning. She holds an Master’s of Commerce (MCom) degree in Economics from the University of Fort Hare and is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Finance at Stellenbosch University. Her teaching background and qualifications provide her with a comprehensive understanding of development issues, their societal impacts and strategies to mitigate these negative effects through digital inclusion. Sibanda’s research interests include development economics, microfinance and the use of technology in teaching. She has published articles in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the academic discourse and practical implications of teaching with technology as well as in economics.