Good Work Foundation (GWF) is looking at a future where robotics are integral to learning in South Africa’s schools. This year, the education nonprofit is expanding its successful Open Learning Academy robotics and coding programme, which has already made a significant impact in primary schools in rural Mpumalanga and the Free State, to include high school learners in Grades 8 and 9.
The roll-out of the robotics and coding curriculum to older learners is a natural extension of GWF’s mission to close the educational gap between rural and urban areas.
“If we only teach coding in primary school and then leave these pupils unsupported in high school, it’s easier for them to forget what they’ve learned … That’s why we continue supporting them into high school,” says Anorld Mdhluli, manager of the Open Learning Academy.
GWFs coding and robotics programme provides hands-on learning experiences that enable students to build, code and test their own projects. By introducing robotics and programming tools such as Scratch 3.0 and the Dash and Dot robots, GWF is equipping students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that Mdhluli deems essential in an unpredictable world that is constantly being reshaped by rapidly evolving technologies: “The skills that coding offers are very important. Everyone growing up now will need these skills to be prepared for the future.”
Launching the expanded programme at GWF’s Justicia Digital Learning Campus was a strategic decision. “One reason is that the Justicia campus is right next to a local school, Madlala High, so it’s easy to reach those learners, and with the capacity we have here we can easily accommodate the Grade 8 and 9 students,” explains Mdhluli.
Justicia is one of six GWF campuses, and the plan is to eventually roll out the high school robotics and coding programme to the other sites as well, depending on resources and capacity. “For our campus, having the programme piloted here in our village is a huge honour,” says Jane Ngwenyama, Justicia Digital Learning Campus manager. “It means our students will help shape the model, which will not only have a role in transforming education but will also cultivate skills that will benefit our communities in the future.”
Community and parental support for the programme has been positive so far, with many recognising the importance of preparing young people to seize development opportunities in a technology-driven world. “Students will be equipped with computing skills that will help them in institutions of higher learning should they wish to pursue professions related to the computer sciences. But more importantly, they’ll be digitally literate and better prepared to face challenges in life – knowing how to adapt to new technologies,” says Ngwenyama.
With the programme being so well received and the pilot on course for success, GWF plans to continue expanding its Open Learning Academy offering to more high school learners over the next three years, further extending its reach in the communities it serves.
This growth will support the Department of Basic Education’s roll-out of the coding and robotics curriculum in public schools, and will ensure that rural students are not left behind when it comes to taking full advantage of the technology-driven jobs of tomorrow.
