South Africa is set to add coding, robotics, aviation, aquaponics, and four other subjects to the school curriculum starting in 2020.
Teachers will start receiving coding lessons from June to September 2019 in preparation for the pilot coding subject at 1,000 schools across five provinces during the 2020 school year.
During his State of the Nation address in February, President Ramaphosa announced plans to ensure that South Africa’s education system ‘responds to emerging technologies’ including the internet of things, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
While responding to questions in parliament Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said
“The curricula will ensure that our schooling system produces learners with the foundations for future work, and equip them with skills for the changing world.
This will not only develop STEM skills, but also contribute to effectively developing children’s creativity, critical thinking, design thinking, and digital skills.
This will ensure that South Africa develops learners who are makers and inventors who will contribute to building an innovative culture in South Africa,”
A total of 8 science subjects will be introduced specifically:
- Coding
- Robotics
- Technical Mathematics
- Technical sciences
- Maritime sciences
- Aviation studies
- Mining sciences
- Aquaponics
