As part of its efforts to meet the demand of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the DBE is busy mobilising various education stakeholders to accelerate the introduction of the Coding and Robotics Curriculum in General Education and Training (GET). “The DBE has currently secured more than R60 million to be used in developing materials aimed at strengthening teaching and learning for Coding and Robotics,” said Mr Jabu Hlakula, Chief Education Specialist for GET Technology.

The Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) have also expressed interest in providing additional funding through the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Conditional Grant to ensure that the sector is fully capacitated to equip learners with competencies for a changing world. As the sector has put emphasis on strengthening Literacy and Numeracy in the GET band, it is critical that the MST Conditional Grant is implemented across the sector.

“The MST Conditional Grant has been put in place to mobilise more learners to participate in MST subjects, whilst empowering teachers to master the teaching of these subjects. In addition, the Grant will make a meaningful contribution towards increasing the throughput rate in these subjects. Currently, approximately 1,064 schools across all nine provinces are benefiting from the Grant,” said Project Manager for MST Conditional Grant, Ms Elspeth Khembo: “Provincial coordinators for the Grant conduct regular monitoring in schools to improve optimal utilisation of the resources provided. Although there has been huge progress made in terms of supporting schools offering MST subjects in the country, additional funding is still required to increase resources for the development of competencies for the future.”

The DBE’s MST Conditional Grant is planning to host an inter-provincial meeting in the Western Cape Province from 27 to 28 November 2019.