ABSTRACT
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is designed to solve challenges that affect humanity. However, the rapid advancement in ICT calls for cutting edge ICT knowledge and upskilling of users. As a result, it is mandatory that jobseekers become computer literate. University students are expected to be computer literate. Therefore, integrating ICT into teaching and learning (T&L) has positive benefits. This study analyses the state of ICT integration at rural schools in the Rekopantswe Area office (5 selected schools) in Ngaka Modiri Molema district in North West province which were selected using a random sampling method. A questionnaire was used to gather data. The results show that the attitudes, awareness, and readiness of educators could be improved through ICT integration as prior knowledge is harnessed. A quantitative research approach was adopted. Research shows that ICT can improve T&L and help them become innovative when appropriate ICT tools are made available. ICT integration requires not only the modernisation of the ICT tools, but significant shifts in the mind-sets of stakeholders' attitudes, roles, and belief systems to construct new knowledge. This awareness and readiness of the stakeholders is also fundamental for the successful integration of ICT projects. The results show that learners and educators are aware of initiative of the South African government to integrate ICT in T&L. The stakeholders exhibited positive attitudes and belief systems though some were not aware of the government's ICT integration initiative. It is unfortunate that schools have not embraced fully ICT integration. With more emphasis on online education in the face of the pandemic, there is need to fund and speed up such ICT integration projects at all the secondary schools, in rural, urban and peri-urban areas.