Government finalising new subjects for schools in South Africa

The Department of Basic Education says it is still developing the curricula for new subjects – including coding and robotics – as it starts finalising the revision of these for promulgation into the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS).

CAPS is the single, comprehensive, and concise policy document that governs South Africa’s education system.

In the department’s annual performance plan for 2023/24, it that work has begun on developing some components of the updated curricula to be rolled out on a wider scale.

Coding and robotics are the core focus of a host of new “next-gen” subjects being piloted in South Africa as the education departments looks to better equip learners with skills for the 21st century.

The subjects are currently being piloted at 18 schools nationwide – two in each province.

The pilot for Grades 4 to 6 and Grade 8 was implemented in 2022, followed by a Grade 9 pilot in 2023. Full-scale implementation of coding and robotics into the school curriculum for Grades 4 to 6 and Grade 8 is planned for 2024, and the Grade 9s will follow suit in 2025.

The department said that the so-called “fourth industrial revolution”, or 4IR, has necessitated a closer look at the skills that can assist in ensuring that young people in South Africa are “equipped with such skills and become productive citizens in all sectors of the economy”.

“Such a change calls for a rigorous implementation of new subjects that include, but are not limited to: Robotics; Coding; Machine-learning; Nanotechnology; 3D printing; Genetics; and Biotechnology.”

“While it is noted that the Department of Basic Education has started to do exciting work in this area, it needs to be noted that more still needs to be done,” it said.

This is in relation to better equipping schools to take on these subjects, as well as educating teachers to be able to teach them. Robotics and coding have been the main focus of these initiatives thus far.

For 2023/24, the department does not plan to expand the robotics and coding pilot project further, with the same 18 schools remaining the key drivers of the pilot, the department said.

The Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R-3 and 7, and the CAPS for Occupational Subjects for Grades 8 and 9, have been developed and submitted to Umalusi for appraisal and quality assurance, it said.

This appraisal and quality assurance process is ongoing, including the appraisal of public comments received.

To support schools and to increase learner participation and success rates in Mathematics, Science and Technology – including the new coding and robotics subjects – the department will provide ICT equipment, machinery, subject-specific resources and teacher development to schools each year over the medium term by:

• Providing 485 schools, including those in the coding and robotics pilot project, with subject-specific computer hardware and related software in accordance with the minimum specifications prescribed by the curriculum assessment policy statement;
• Repairing, maintaining or replacing workshop equipment and machinery for technology subjects at 232 technical schools;
• Providing 232 schools with funds for the maintenance of equipment and machinery;
• Providing 1,256 schools with laboratory equipment, apparatus and consumables, including manipulatives for Mathematics;
• Supporting 50,000 learners in co‐curricular services related to Mathematics, science and technology;
• Supporting 1,500 teachers and subject advisers in curriculum assessment policy statement training; and
• Supporting 1,000 teachers in structured teacher development programmes specific to Mathematics, science and technology

The focus on coding and robotics will also work in parallel with the department’s goals to improve reading and comprehension among learners.

The department said it will also be supporting the education of teachers in these fields through bursary programmes, and it will continue monitoring the pilot schools and the schools receiving ICT equipment to ensure the projects remain on track.

As with the coding and robotics pilots, the department will also pilot occupational and vocational subjects at schools over the period.

The department has gazetted 35 Occupational and Vocationally-oriented subjects for public comment over the past few years. The gazetting was followed in 2021 by submitting these subjects to Umalusi for appraisal and quality assurance.

Public comments have been received, and their infusion in the CAPS and the development of Learner Books and Teacher Guides have taken effect, the department said.

Among the occupational subjects, the DBE introduced a new FET-level subject, Marine Sciences, and the first cohort of the learners taking this subject sat for the first NSC examination, which includes Marine Sciences.

Read: Big changes for school calendars in South Africa – including public holidays