A lot is happening in respect of Coding and Robotics within the Education Sector. On 13-14 June 2022, a Coding, Robotics and Technology Inter-Provincial Meeting for Grades R – 9 convened at the DBE Conference Centre in Pretoria, to engage directly with provincial coordinators to strengthen the implementation of Coding, Robotics and Technology in the curriculum, as well as the training of teachers for skills required for the 21st Century.
Minister Motshekga gazetted and published the Draft Curriculum for Coding and Robotics Grades R – 9, for public comments on 19 March 2021. The DBE also submitted the draft Curriculum for Coding and Robotics Grade R – 3; Grades 4 – 6; and Grades 7 – 9 to Umalusi for evaluation and appraisal.
From 19-26 June 2022, a Coding and Robotics Task Team convened at the Sandton Hotel in Benmore Gardens, to consider the public comments and Umalusi directives received in respect of the Draft Curriculum for Coding and Robotics for Grades R – 9 in order to address; a balance between skills and knowledge for both teachers and learners; the purpose of the Coding and Robotics Qualification for both teachers and learners; the learner profile at each phase; and the performance standards.
Approximately 240 passionate and detailed public comments were received with great appreciation for the bold step the country was taking in introducing skills for a changing world in the form of coding and robotics along with several concerns relating to specific curriculum issues” said Ms Elspeth Khembo, Director for Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST), Curriculum Innovation and eLearning from the DBE.
“There were three groups: Foundation, Intermediate and Senior Phases, with Umalusi ensuring the alignment, conceptual thread, progression and flow of topics across the grades and between the phases as per the approved Digital Skills Framework. Additional comments from Umalusi alluded to strategies for addressing multi-lingual learners and accessibility for learners with disabilities; as well as ensuring that the complexity of projects is well within reach of the learners at appropriate grade levels, and guidance on what learners should be able to do at the end of each topic.”
Mr Christo Jones, Chief Education Specialist for Technology, Coding and Robotics Grade R-9 from the DBE added that, “the introduction of new and innovative forms of assessment must be linked to 21st Century skills such as Coding, Robotics and Technology, along with the development of diagnostic assessments for improving classroom practice. And as soon as the Draft Curriculum for Coding and Robotics Grades R – 9 has been approved into policy, the Sasol Foundation will assist with the development of state-owned textbooks for the Coding and Robotics Grades R–9 as per the DBE-Sasol Foundation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)”.
The Sector is currently anticipating the promulgation of a Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Coding and Robotics (grade R-9), by the Minister as a fully-fledged subject, along with the appointment of a Chief Education Specialist in charge of Coding and Robotics. Another implication, in line with the Integrated National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Education (2019 – 2030), will be to closely monitor the establishment of MST Directorates across all nine provinces to drive the MST agenda, towards the achievement of NDP targets.