The Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST) Conditional Grant Inter-provincial seminar took place in the JB Marks Municipality in Matlosana, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in the North West Province from 11 to 13 June 2024. The seminar, the first in the 2024-2025 financial year, was used as a vehicle to engage with MST Provincial co-ordinations in a setting that allows for interaction, sharing of experiences, challenges and probable solutions in the implementation of the Grant.
The Department uses this engagement to monitor the implementation of the Grant and provide support to the MST Provincial Coordinators. The Seminar also assists newly appointed MST Grant Coordinators and addresses challenges following the changes to the National Policy regarding the Programme and Promotion requirements of Grades R to 12. The meeting celebrated the recent confirmation that Coding and Robotics will be officially added to the subject roster for Grades R to 3 and incrementally over the years from Grades 4 to 9.
Highlighting a few policy changes that they suggested to support the delivery of Coding and Robotics in schools in the year 2025, DBE’s Director of MST, Curriculum Innovation and E-Learning, Ms Elspeth Khembo stated that, “Coding and Robotics develops valuable problem-solving skills that will benefit every learner in many life contexts for the 4IR and beyond. As learners progress through a task, they must be taught the associated knowledge and the skills needed to design and create a solution; knowledge is important and the learners must show that they can use the knowledge”.
The recently published Coding and Robotics Curriculum formed a significant part of the discussions that included Provincial Education Department’s (PEDs), MST officials and District MST Practitioners and Coordinators. Provinces gave updates on their state of readiness for the planned incremental introduction of the subject in the Foundation Phase in 2025. They also presented their Provincial MST Grant Progress Reports, as well as the Coding and Robotics Provincial Reports.
The North West Province has made remarkable progress in integrating Robotics and Coding into primary education. Three primary schools from the province have successfully advanced to the final stages of the top ten 2024 SITA Robotics Challenge, scheduled to be hosted in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape Province from 24 to 27 June 2024, with 80% of pilot schools having a Mathematics lab with interactive boards introduced to learners for coding. Hata-Butle Primary School located in the Khuma Township in the City of Matlosana, is one of the piloting primary schools that was visited as part of the seminar interactions. It has been running Coding and Robotics in the North West Province since 2021. To maintain the robotics programme during its piloting period, the school received funding from the Breteau Foundation and the school visit was graced by the Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana, Mr NJ Tsolela on 13 June 2024.
The MST Grant Seminar delegates visited BA Seobi Secondary School and Botoka Technical School in Ikageng Township in the JB Marks Municipality. The schools are beneficiaries of the MST Conditional Grant. The principals, Messrs Mainganya and Matlaweng, highlighted their achievements and challenges. BA Seobi Secondary School recorded notable achievements, including good pass rates in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, whilst Botoka Technical School produced 100% pass rate in Grade 12 results on all technical subjects.
DBE’s Mr Mlungisi Mkhwanazi indicated that the DBE anticipates an Agricultural Indaba where school principals and MST Grant Coordinators can share best practices and learn from one another.
During the conclusion of the seminar, Mr Christo Jones, National Coordinator for Coding and Robotics, commended the provincial reports, particularly acknowledging the use of unplugged coding and the successful pilot of Coding and Robotics. The meeting provided a platform for provinces to share experiences, difficulties and potential solutions for grant implementation. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in the Northern Cape Province from 27 to 29 August 2024.