Durban South teachers crack the code for the future generation
Teachers in Durban South are encouraged to take part in the free Digital Democracy programme that will provide educational talks on coding and robotics.
THE Digital Democracy programme will make its way to the South of Durban for two free information sessions on coding and robotics for teachers presented by Keep a Child Alive (KCA) at Blue Roof Life Spaces in Wentworth on October 9.
Also read: Community support needed for ‘Keep A Child Alive’
This new, free course has just been launched in response to the addition of coding and robotics into the national school curriculum from Grade R up to Grade 9. The Department of Education hopes it can make digital literacy a key competency like reading, writing and performing mathematics. The introduction aims to prepare young South Africans for the fourth industrial revolution.
KCA felt that, with the current global digital revolution, its mandate needed to expand, hence introducing Digital Democracy. Kate Coleman, representing the initiative, will enable teachers to teach coding and robotics. “This enables the development of essential skills in the learners, and also curiosity is ignited in subjects related to STEM,” she said.
To this end, the Digital Democracy programme works in connection with the UK-based technology company, Raspberry Pi, to bring state-of-the-art coding and robotics resources into schools around Durban South.
The introduction of such courses can help bridge the massive gap in digital access in South African schools, where currently 60% of learners have no access to computers and 80% of schools lack internet connectivity.
So far, the Digital Democracy in the Durban South area has reached the following schools: ML Sultan St Mary’s Primary School, Bushlands Primary School and Austerville Primary School.
The ideal programme would be for schools with at least five computers although it has a wireless version that requires no device or internet. Participants will also receive free learning materials and online platforms.
Details on the sessions
The event will take place at Blue Roof Life Space in Wentworth on October 9, and two time slots are available: 10:00 and 14:00. To book a place at one of the sessions, contact Kate Coleman at [email protected] or Julia Reader at [email protected].
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