School Policies
ICT Policy
1. INTRODUCTION
- This policy reflects the Schools values and ideals in relation to teaching and learning of the South African National School Curriculum using Information Communication Technology as a platform.
- It is recognized that ICT devices/equipment bring great benefits to teaching and learning programmes, and the School places a high priority on Intranet facilities and ICT devices / equipment which will facilitate learning outcomes. However, in the presence of an ICT learning environment cognizance must also be taken of its ability to facilitate anti-social, inappropriate, and even illegal, material and activities. This policy reflects the School’s responsibility to maximize the benefits of these technologies, whilst at the same time to minimize and manage the risks.
- The School thus acknowledges the need to have in place a rigorous and effective ICT Policy, which provides adequate guidance on acceptable usage and prohibitive actions including adequate cyber safety practices.
- This ICT Policy is designed to facilitate responsible, respectable and lawful use of the schools ICT framework for all Users which is aligned to the Schools Code of Conduct and South African Legislation regulating ICT including the Electronic Communications and Transmissions Policy.
2. DEFINITIONS
Important terms used in this document:
- ‘ICT’ in this document refers to the term ‘Information and Communication Technology;
- ‘Cyber safety’ refers to the safe and responsible use of the Intranet and ICT equipment/devices, including cell phones;
- ‘School’ means PEPPS Motheong;
- ‘School ICT’ refers to the school’s computer network, Intranet access facilities, computers, and other school ICT equipment/devices as outlined in 2.5 below;
- ‘ICT equipment/devices’ used in this document, includes but is not limited to, computers (such as desktops, laptops, PDAs), storage devices (such as USB and flash memory devices, CDs, DVDs, iPods, MP3 players), cameras (such as video, digital, webcams), all types of cell phones, video and audio players/receivers (such as portable CD and DVD players),Gaming Consoles, and any other, similar, technologies as they may come into use;
- “Users” means Teachers, Learners and all other School staff members.
3. CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATION OF COMPUTER USE POLICY AND RULES
- Unacceptable and/or unlawful use of the School ICT systems and ICT devices/equipment constitutes a breach of school rules and any User who violates this policy and rules may have their ICT privileges limited, suspended or revoked and may also face disciplinary procedures dependant on the severity of the infraction which shall be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Any ICT equipment /device belonging to the User may accordingly be confiscated.
- Certain violations may also result in referral to law enforcement and/or legal action. Enclosed herewith is a list of relevant legislation governing ICT law at schools. Transgressions hereof are punishable by law so adherence to this policy is vital.
4. ACCEPTABLE USE
- The School’s ICT is provided for educational purposes only and must be regarded as a privilege and not a right and usage must be consistent with this policy, cyber safety and directly related to the educational objectives of the School.
- The Schools has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material you access or post, the training you need to have before you are allowed to use the system, and enforce all rules set forth in the School Code.
The following activities are authorised by an Educator or the School:
- researching information relating to a school assignment;
- gathering specific information about subjects/topics;
- collaborative learning projects;
- emailing a Teacher or Learner for assistance with school related work;
- other Teacher directed activities.
5. PROHIBITED USES
Unacceptable uses of School ICT that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:
5.1 Accessing Inappropriate Materials
5.1.1 Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, distributing or intentionally accessing forwarding, downloading, scanning or displaying defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal materials without redeeming any educational value;
5.1.2 Including visual depictions that are:
5.1.2.1 Obscene;
5.1.2.2 Child pornography;
5.1.2.3 Harmful to minors.
The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
- taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; or
- depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition; or
5.2 Illegal Activities
5.2.1 Using the Schools ICT for any illegal activity or in violation of any School policy and rules, including bullying or harassing behaviour toward Learners or other persons.
5.2.2 Attempting to harm, modify or destroy data of another User.
5.2.3 Attempting to gain unauthorized access to programs or computer equipment, including attempts to override any firewalls established on the Schools ICT network.
5.2.4 Using the School ICT in a manner that would violate any South African legislation and subjects the User and or the School to any civil or criminal action. This includes, but is not limited to, the transmission of threatening material, the spreading of computer viruses, participating in software piracy, using the Schools ICT for purposes of gambling, or arranging for the sale or purchase of drugs or alcohol.
5.2.5 Sending “chain letters” or “broadcast” messages to lists or individuals or subscribing to “list serves” or “newsgroups” without prior permission.
5.2.6 Computer games are (in general) not part of the school curriculum and should not be played in class or in any area of the school unless a specific classroom task using a game format is set as a valid, assessable and supervised activity.
5.3 Users may not use the School ICT for commercial purposes to offer, provide, or purchase products or services.
5.5 Plagiarism:
Representing as one’s work any material obtained on the School ICT which is a reportable and criminal violation;
5.6 Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access: Sharing passwords, using other Users’ passwords, and accessing or using other users’ accounts.
5.7 Learners are not permitted to bring inappropriate material to school in any form, including electronic form. Teachers may check learner’s USB drives and all ICT equipment/devices upon a reasonable suspicion that the Learner has violated this policy in any manner and remove any offending material and report the incident in accordance with the School rules.
5.8 Malicious Use/Vandalism: Any malicious use, disruption or harm to the School ICT including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/ uploading of computer viruses.
5.4 Violating Copyrights:
5.4.1 Copying, downloading or sharing any type of copyrighted materials (including music or films) without the owner’s permission.
5.4.2 Copying or downloading Software or without the express authorization of the School.
5.4.3 Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties.
6. INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT
6.1 On any and all uses of the School ICT, whether in application to public or private messages or material posted on the portal, the User will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language.
6.2 Users shall not post information that could cause danger or disruption or engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks, which are based on religious preferences, ethnic and political views or gender and race bias.
6.3 Users shall not harass another User or other person by a persistent action that distresses or annoys another User / other person and the User shall immediately stop when asked to do so or disciplinary procedures shall be procured.
6.4 Learners with Cell Phones:
6.4.1 Any Learner found using a cell phone or smart watch to gain advantage in exams or assessments will face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the School.
6.4.2 Learners with cell phones may not engage in personal attacks, harass another person, or post private information about another person using SMS messages, taking/sending photos or objectionable images, and phone calls.
6.4.3 Learners using cell phones to bully other Learners will face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the School.
6.4.4 It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person. As such, if action as sanctioned by the School is deemed ineffective, as with all such incidents, the School may consider it appropriate to involve the police.
7. SCHOOL ICT ETIQUETTE
Each User is expected to abide by generally accepted rules of etiquette, including the following:
· Be polite! Don’t be abusive when addressing others including other Users.
· Learners using cell phones to bully other learners will face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the school
· Users shall not forge, intercept or interfere with electronic mail messages.
· Use appropriate language. The use of obscene, lewd, profane, threatening or disrespectful language is prohibited and will be sanctioned by the school
· Users shall not post personal contact information, including names, home, school or work addresses, telephone numbers, or photographs, about themselves or others.
· Users shall respect the computer system’s resource limits.
· Users shall not post chain letters or download large files.
· Users shall not use the computer system to disrupt others.
· Users shall not read, modify or delete data owned by others.
8. E-MAIL
8.1 Users may only use approved e-mail accounts on the school system.
8.2 Learners must immediately tell a teacher if they receive offensive e-mails.
8.3 Learners must not reveal personal details of themselves or others in e-mail communication, or arrange to meet anyone.
8.4 Staff to Learner e-mail communication must only take place via a school email address or from within the learning platform and will be monitored.
8.5 Incoming e-mails should be treated as suspicious and attachments not opened unless the author is known.
9. PUBLISHING PUPIL’S IMAGES AND WORK
9.1 Photographs that include Learners will be selected carefully and will not enable individual pupils to be clearly identified. The School will look to seek to use group photographs rather than full-face photos of individual children.
9.2 Learner’s full names will be avoided on the Website or learning platform, as appropriate, including in blogs, forums or wikis, particularly in association with photographs.
9.3 Written permission from Parents or Guardians will be obtained before photographs of Learners are published on the school intranet/website site, VLE/learning platform or any other publication.
10. PRIVACY IS NOT GUARANTEED
10.1 The School will monitor all computer related activities of Users and may employ technology protection measures during any use of such computers by Users.
10.2 The technology protection measures utilized will block or filter Internet access to any visual depictions that are:
10.2.1 Obscene;
10.2.2 Child pornography;
10.2.3 Harmful to minors.
CELL PHONES
10.3 Acceptable Use
10.3.1 The increased ownership of cell phones requires that School Administrators, Teachers, Learners, and Parents to take steps to ensure that cell phones are used responsibly.
10.3.2 The School wishes to ensure that potential issues (such as mobile etiquette) can be clearly identified and addressed; ensuring the benefits that cell phones provide (such as increased safety and security) can continue to be enjoyed by our Learners.
PLEASE SEE OUR CELL PHONE POLICY AS REFERENCE TO THE USE OF CELL PHONES ON OUR PREMISES
10.4 Personal safety and security.
10.5 The School accepts that Parents give their children cell phones to protect them from everyday risks involving personal security and safety.
10.6 There is also ever-increasing concerns about children travelling alone on public transport or commuting long distances to school. It is acknowledged that providing a child with a cell phone gives Parents reassurance that they can speak to their child quickly, at any time.
RESPONSIBILITY
10.7 It is the responsibility of Learners who bring cell phones onto School premises to adhere to the guidelines outlined in this policy.
10.7.1 The decision to provide a cell phone to their children should be made by Parents or guardians.
10.7.2 Parents should be aware if their child takes a cell phone onto school premises.
10.8 Secondary
10.8.1 All learners should hand in their cell phones to the office on arriving at school. If for some reason this is not adhered to and is left in their school bag, it must be switched off until they go home. The school is not responsible for the loss or damage of a cell phone. Exceptions may be permitted in rare circumstances, should the Parent/guardian specifically request it. Such requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and should be directed to the Principal.
10.8.2 Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, the School Office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure your child is reached quickly, and assisted in any appropriate way.
10.9 Primary
10.9.1 All learners should hand in their cell phones to the office on arriving at school.
10.9.2 Learners are not permitted to use their cell phones at all during the day.
10.9.3 If a Learner needs to make a telephone call during the day they must ask permission from the class teacher and a school telephone will be used if deemed appropriate.
10.9.4 Any mobile phone being used during the day will be confiscated.
10.10 Theft or damage
10.10.1 Learners are required to mark their cell phone clearly with their name.
10.10.2 Cell phones found at School and whose owner cannot be located should be handed into the office until proof of ownership established and consent forms signed by the Parent/ Guardian and Learner.
10.10.3 The School accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged cell phones. Their safety and security is wholly in the hands of the Learner.
10.10.4 The School accepts no responsibility for Learners who lose or have their cell phones stolen while travelling to and from School.
10.10.5 It is strongly advised that Learners use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorized phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other Learners, or if stolen). Learners must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Cell phones and/or passwords may not be shared other than with their parents.
11. CYBERBULLING
11.1 Cyberbullying is the use of ICT, particularly cell phones and the internet/intranet, deliberately to upset someone else.
11.2 Cyberbullying may consist of threats, harassment, embarrassment, humiliation, defamation or impersonation. It may take the form of general insults or prejudice based bullying for example homophobic, sexist, racist or other forms of discrimination. It may include photographs or video clips taken by mobile telephone.
11.3 The School has a no tolerance policy in relation to all forms of bullying whether it be against Learners or Teachers and takes a very proactive stance in which any bullying of whatever nature will always be investigated thoroughly and dealt with in accordance with the Schools disciplinary procedures. The severity thereof will be taken into consideration when confiscating and or suspending the Learners ICT privileges and attendance at this School including police intervention and civil actions.
POLICY REVIEW
Because of the rapid changes in the development of ICT regulations, the School Board shall conduct an annual review of this policy.
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