GDE and tech firm open new coding and robotics lab at school in Bosmont

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has partnered with Nasdaq-listed technology firm, Honeywell, to boost digital skills among Gauteng learners.

The partners opened a new robotics and coding education centre called the Futureshaper Lab at St Barnabas School of Specialisation, August 11. The lab will benefit 200 high school learners per year at the school, who will embark on a specialised education programme designed to boost their knowledge of, and proficiency in, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Lab will help develop digital skills and ignite logical and critical thinking in learners. Both learners and educators opting to participate in the programme will learn more STEM and ICT focused skills in addition to their usual computer literacy education curriculum at the school. The programme now includes outcomes-focused courses on coding, programming and robotics, as well as ‘coding clubs’, holiday training camps and ‘hack-a-thons’ to maximise learner interactivity and participation.

“As a technology company with a history in South Africa dating back more than 50 years, we are heavily invested in helping the country expand its pipeline of exciting, talented and ambitious engineers of the future across its STEM-related sectors,” said Denver Dreyer, Honeywell’s Sub-Saharan Africa President. Honeywell is a Fortune 100 tech firm that delivers industry-specific solutions and performance materials globally.

The programme is part of a wider initiative by the GDE to develop schools of specialisation that address the mismatch between the skills with which learners exit the education system. Schools of specialisation seek to nurture the development of top talent in Gauteng across various disciplines, producing the country’s future generation of economic and industrial entrepreneurs and leaders.

In 2019, St Barnabas College was launched as a school of specialisation in mathematics, science and information technology to offer a highly specialised curriculum and nurture the development of top talent in Gauteng across key technology-related disciplines. A graduate of the SoS can look forward to multiple exit opportunities including joining the labour market, entrepreneurship or furthering their studies.

GDE MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, who was present for the unveiling, said “We are excited about this initiative, which will have a huge impact on improving skills in learners. We believe this lab is a great addition to our efforts to generate learner interest in STEM subjects which will be beneficial to their career. Let us thank our all our partners including Honeywell for heeding the call and investing in the education of our learners.”