CAPE TOWN - The South African Broadcasting Corporation is launching a new channel which will carry public service content from the department of education as well as other learning programmes currently available on its other channels, it said on Thursday.
In a statement, the public broadcaster said the addition of SABC Education to its existing portfolio of channels would benefit learners throughout the country via digital television, online video-sharing platform YouTube and other platforms, providing them with more flexibility in accessing educational content.
"However, the viability and success of the 'SABC Education campaign' is dependent on sponsorships to enable (this) vital educational material to be made available to all learners," it said.
"This is only possible if funding is made available to broadcast this material on SABC 1 and 2, the platforms with the best national reach. The SABC can provide 12 hours per day over these two channels."
The launch of the new channel comes amid the Covid-19 global scourge which has disrupted South Africa's academic calendar, with schools being closed in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus among learners and staff.
"The launch of the channel is timely, as the nation requires these interventions to fill gaps that have been created by Covid-19 related adjustments," SABC chief executive Madoda Mxakwe said.
The national broadcaster said SABC Education was the culmination of a long-term project targeted at foundation, intermediate, high school, as well as civic and tertiary education.
"The introduction of the SABC Education channel is in line with our education strategy which has been in the pipeline for some time," Mxakwe said.