- The Western Cape education department has started a robotics and coding pilot programme at selected schools in the province.
- Premier Alan Winde and Education MEC Debbie Schäfer visited Spine Road High School in Mitchells Plain to monitor a robotics coding class.
- The classes are providing youth on the Cape Flats with essential skills in an increasingly digital economy.
The Western Cape education department has started a robotics and coding pilot programme at selected schools in the province.
Spine Road High School in Mitchells Plain has already started piloting the scratch coding programme as part of the technology subject for grade 8 and 9 pupils.
Premier Alan Winde and Education MEC Debbie Schäfer visited the school on Monday to monitor a robotics coding class.
Schäfer said it was incredible to see how the teacher was incorporating robotics into her technology classes and how much fun it was to be teaching pupils 21st-century skills.
"Teamwork, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking are something that is needed for the future where there will be jobs that we didn't even know we needed yet," she added.
The robotics and coding class is being incorporated into technology classes and is offered as an extramural activity for pupils.
It will provide them with a crucial skill-set to work in an increasingly digital economy.
Robotics started at the school in 2018 as an extramural activity to increase pupils' skill-sets and career opportunities.
In December 2020, the school was approached by DXC Technology to write a proposal for an upgrade of its existing robotics lab.
The upgrade was implemented in February 2021 and the school launched a state-of-the-art robotics lab in April this year.
Winde said:
The department added robotics was a desperately needed skill for the future.
"This is desperately needed for the future where there will be jobs that we don't even know exist yet. I think they are doing a fantastic job.
"They've grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and they are doing everything possible to ensure their learners get the most up-to-date lessons that they can."
He commended the principal, Mark Fairburn, for his leadership and ensuring that technology in education in the Western Cape was brought into the future.
Winde also used the opportunity to encourage pupils to assist elderly members in their family and community to register for Covid-19 vaccines.