Lerato Mbhiza
THE Mpumalanga Provincial Government has introduced coding and robotics in 128 schools, as part of a pilot programme, according to the Premier RefilweMtshweni-Tsipane in her State of the Province Address on Friday.
“That pilot is progressing well and 128 schools, from Grade R to 3 and Grade 7, are currently doing coding and robotics,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
The Premier said in the government’s quest to improve learner performance, in 2022 it provided all Grade 12 learners and teachers in Quantile to 3 schools with tablets and laptops.
These devices, the Premier said, are loaded with e-content and will be provided this year with an offline application to enable access to learning even outside the four walls of the classroom without data or connectivity.
“This government continues to strengthen e-learning in our schools. This year, the province will introduce the smart schools concept in eight schools where both teachers and learners will utilise technological devices and thus making the schools paperless,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
She added that the land for the construction of the proposed School for the Deaf and Blind has been secured at Emalahleni Municipality.
“Once the school is completed, the 250 deaf learners currently studying at Bukhosibetfu Full Service School and the 200 in other special schools will be relocated to the new school.”
Job creation
By the end of January 2024, a total of 63 478 jobs were created through the 21 identified programmes, including the Siyatentela Road Maintenance Programme, Government Nutrition Programme, School Handymen and Tourism Safety Monitors, to name a few, the Premier said.
“Since 2021 and through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, we have trained and created a total of 65 296 job opportunities for unemployed youth in different schools.
“Since its inception in 2019, the Premier’s Youth Development Fund has disbursed R258 million to fund 182 youth-owned enterprises. The funded beneficiaries have created more than 630 jobs in agriculture, mining, manufacturing as well as film and production,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
