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Government rolling out robotics and coding from Grade R to 9 next year

Earlier this year while delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed plans to radically overhaul the education system in order to adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He added that teachers and learners should be trained in particular on emerging technologies.

To follow on what the President said, the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga recently announced that they are developing a coding and robotics curriculum to be included from Grade R to 9 from next year.

According to IOL News, the project will be piloted at 1 000 schools across five provinces starting during 2020’s academic year. The DBE has also partnered with Unisa in making 24 ICT laboratories countrywide available to train 72 000 teachers.

“Coding curriculum would develop pupils ability to solve problems, and function in a digital and information driven world. This will ensure South Africa develops learners who are markers and inventors who will contribute an innovative culture,” said Motshekga.

The Minister added that at least three teachers in 16 000 primary schools are expected to be trained in coding.

“It is highly encouraging that the government is developing curricula for coding and robotics for Grade R to 9. Few countries in the world have taken the step to make coding a core curriculum subject,” added chief executive of Idea Digital Education, Dr Corrin Varady.

[Source – IOL News]
[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]

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