Robot brains and breakout boards for grade 1's

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GEORGE NEWS - In three years' time, the Department of Basic Education plans to implement coding and robotics as part of the school curriculum in all our primary schools, starting with the Grade 1s of 2024.

Circuit managers, heads of different divisions, e-advisers and curriculum coordinators of the Eden and Central Karoo district attended a two hour "demystification and systemic awareness" session on Monday 25 October to familiarise them with this new trend.

Teachers of three schools in the district have been afforded the chance to attend a course in coding and robotics during the December holiday, while a total of 97 schools (primary and high schools) in the Western Cape will be part of a pilot programme through which a curriculum will be developed.

District Director Jewel Jonkers received 20 robotic kits which can be used for training purposes over the next few months.

District Director Jewel Jonkers and Koos Eksteen, circuit manager in George.

In the Eden and Central Karoo District, the following schools have been identified to take part in the pilot programme:

Outeniqua Primary School,
Groot Brakrivier Primêre Skool,
Friemersheim Primêre Skool,
Kairos Sekondêr,
Murray High School,
Laurus Primêre Skool,
Dirk Boshoff Primêre School,
Teske Gedenk Primêre Skool,
Vlakteplaas UCC Primêre Skool and
Jonga Street Secondary School.

WC Director of General Education and Training Karen Dudley said with this new subject, Grade 1s will develop their computational thinking through tasks such as puzzle building and assembling batteries.

"We are currently in the pilot phase of this programme and are still finding our feet," said Dudley. "The country has a shortage of innovators and developers - we have to start somewhere. Not only will this subject develop critical thinking, it will also develop better reading skills in children."

WCED coding and robotics coordinator Jonathan Freese gave officials the opportunity to assemble a small robot, which works on the same concept as traffic lights. "Our teachers are still teaching content only, and not problem solving and application of content," said Freese.

Photo gallery: Plans to implement coding and robotics as part of the school curriculum

"We need to future-proof our learners for 21st-century technologies and bring it into the classroom." The roadshow will continue throughout October and November, to all eight districts in the Western Cape.

WCED coding and robotics coordinator Jonathan Freese of Reach (Robotics Education and Community Hub) presented the roadshow.