Training of teachers on the curriculum for coding and robotics in preparation for the 2022 piloting in schools
Africa Teen Geeks is a non-profit organisation that introduces computer science and robotics to previously disadvantaged schools, through teacher training and curriculum development. Since its inception in 2014, Africa Teen Geeks has grown to become the largest computer science non-profit organisation in Africa.
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We aim to educate, inspire and equip young people with skills, resources and expertise to pursue STEM careers and close the digital opportunity gap, through quality education.
We are the official partner of the Department of Basic Education, tasked with co-creating the coding and robotics curriculum for basic education and have signed a five-year MoU with the department, to roll out the coding and robotics curriculum. The partnership entails material development, the coordination of virtual and physical classes in conjunction with DBE offices, and teacher development to ensure that teachers have the necessary competencies to teach coding and robotics.
Our goal is to train 2,000 teachers from 1,200 schools in coding and robotics on our Ms Zora AI-based learning platform. The teachers will then implement their newly acquired digital skills into the curriculum and build the IT potential of 1.2 million school children across the country. To help close the educational gap in South Africa, UNICEF has also pledged their financial support to help launch this ground-breaking initiative.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has approved the introduction of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) for Coding and Robotics for Grades R-9. This was in response to the emerging global phenomenon of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which prepares the world for the new body of knowledge.
The new curriculum necessitates the training of subject specialists, co-ordinators, subject advisors and teachers. In preparation for this curriculum, the DBE has approved the appointment of the National Training Team (NTT), which will oversee the process, after they had undergone training.
In view of the Covid-19 pandemic and compliance with its regulations, the DBE the training is conducted virtually (online).
This first pilot phase kicked off on Saturday, 28 August, in the North-West and Limpopo provinces.
The courses offered are aligned to the latest draft CAPS POLICY DOCUMENTS (Coding & Robotics) released by the Department of Basic Education in 2021. Grade R – 3 and 7 for this round of training.
Training phases:
- Phase 1: Coding, provided virtually
- Phase 2: Robotics, face to face (dates to be confirmed)
