The piloting of a pioneering coding and robotics curriculum is steadily advancing in South Africa, reshaping the educational landscape across the nation. The curriculum, currently under trial in 1,569 public schools spread across nine provinces, aims to prepare learners for a rapidly digitising world.
The Department of Basic Education has prepared, reviewed, and revised the draft Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), a crucial step towards the subject’s full-fledged implementation. Learning and Teaching Support Material, along with necessary devices and kits, have been supplied to pilot schools, ensuring that the subject is effectively taught and learnt.
The programme’s progress is tracked on a quarterly basis through meetings between provincial coordinators and the Department of Basic Education. These meetings offer an invaluable opportunity for coordinators to discuss progress, highlight unique challenges, and brainstorm practical solutions that could be implemented in the majority of pilot schools.
Mr Elijah Mhlanga, Chief Director: Media Liaison, National and Provincial Communication, expressed his appreciation towards the provincial coordinators. He praised their dedication to making South African learners an integral part of the global digital transformation. “In the next few years, South African classrooms won’t be the same anymore; thank you for doing your best to level the playing field”, Mhlanga remarked, bringing the first day of proceedings to a close.
On the second day, the Coding and Robotics Interprovincial meeting was held at Toronto Primary School in Mankweng, Limpopo – one of the pilot schools. This allowed coordinators to monitor the practical implementation of the coding and robotics draft curriculum and observe learner responses to the subject.
MEC for Education in Limpopo, Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, praised the coordinators for their efforts and emphasised the importance of resource allocation for the success of any programme.
The piloting of the coding and robotics curriculum showcases the transformative power of technology in education, serving as an inspiring model for a digitally empowered future.