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As nations attempt to maintain their leadership in a global economy ruled by digital innovation, educating today’s learners and ensuring that they are digitally literate and understand coding and robotics is becoming a national imperative, says the MTN SA Foundation, which today contributed MTN’s digital power to the Department of Basic Education’s National Coding and Robotics pilot programme by launching a Coding and Robotics Centre at Letsibogo Girls High School in Soweto.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the era of rapid digital change have triggered a rapidly developing technological landscape which will forever change how we live, transact, and remain competitive in a digital universe, says  Arthur Mukhuvha, General Manager of the MTN  Foundation. Staying abreast of developments requires equipping learners for the future. One way of ensuring this is through coding and robotics education becoming part of curricula designed to encourage children's problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

“Crucially for South Africa, these skills also help develop an entrepreneurial mindset in upcoming generations so that a culture of innovation becomes embedded in the national outlook and helps to drive economic growth and technical advancement,” Mukhuvha says.

At the Letsibogo Girls High School, the Coding and Robotics Centre will pilot programmes using 66 robotics kits, 10 laptops, and a router that cater to teaching nine classes. A set of competition kits will simultaneously be available for extra mural activities and future competitions.

In addition to the coding and robotics resources, the Letsibogo Centre offers learning and teaching support material that vary from lesson plans, teacher workbooks, coding software, and assessment guidelines and textbooks.

All teachers involved with the Letsibogo project have already undergone five days of immersive, in-person teacher training. This training equips teachers with the skills needed to effectively deliver the coding and robotics curriculum. All teacher training, which includes 12 months of ongoing online support, is supplied by the MTN SA Foundation’s partner, Sifiso EdTech.

“Working together with Sifiso EdTech, which has been assisting the Department of Basic Education (DBE) with the rollout of its pilot programme across the country, we have become a proud part of this pioneering private-public partnership. Involvement is broad and includes the DBE, Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), and Sifiso EdTech in introducing what could be a major stepping stone in bringing SA’s education landscape on par with global markets. “The MTN SA Foundation is fully committed through this process of realising the objectives of the DBE pilot project, including ensuring that selected teachers are in place to drive the learning process,” adds Mukhuvha.

Sizwe Nxasana, CEO of Sifiso EdTech, stated, “In our rapidly evolving tech-centric work environment, it’s crucial that students emerge from school with essential digital skills for the workforce. Digital literacy is now a cornerstone in all sectors. Our partnership with private sector leaders like MTN underscores our commitment to nurturing these skills from a young age, preparing the future workforce to thrive in the digital age, drive economic growth and foster innovation.”

To ensure the full involvement of the Letsibogo Girls High School, the Centre is also equipped with learning and teaching support material that varies from lesson plans and workbooks to coding software, textbooks, and assessment guidelines.

“Through initiatives such as these by the MTN SA Foundation, MTN is promoting technological inclusion and helping break down the digital divide that still challenges South Africa when it comes to ensuring equal access to technology across communities and socioeconomic gaps.”

“By democratising access to the essential technological tools of tomorrow, we are empowering individuals and communities and fostering a more inclusive society by broadening the talent pool available to South Africa. We will continue to support projects and establish partnerships across the public and private sectors where cooperation will benefit all,” Mukhuvha concludes.