SA’s education system must change focus to digital age, says Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa delivered the opening address at a Basic Education lekgotla on Thursday morning.

"If we are to seize the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, our education system must be reoriented towards its development in our country.

"One of the key focus areas of the economic reconstruction and recovery plan is boosting education and skills development.

 
"Our schools must teach the skills that will both support the growth of the economy and enable financial inclusion."

The matric results for the class of 2020 were released on Monday, which saw the overall pass rate decline to 76.2%.

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However despite the relatively good exam results during the Covid-19 pandemic, studies show the country lags behind in the information technology skills needed for the digital revolution.

Ramaphosa said the country's education system must focus on science, technology, mathematics and engineering-oriented results.

"It will not be possible for us to build an e-skilled economy as envisaged in the National Development Plan if we do not pay attention to subject areas at basic education level.

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"This challenge begins in the early years – firstly, with subject choices that limit future opportunities for learners, and, secondly, with the poor performance of learners in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

“The draft coding and robotics curriculum has been submitted to Umalusi for evaluation and quality assurance, and a draft curriculum will soon be gazetted.
 
“This year, 200 schools will be piloting the draft curriculum from Grades R to 3 and 1,000 schools will be piloting the Grade 7 curriculum.

"Even as the pandemic delayed the process last year, the Department of Basic Education is making headway on the national rollout of coding and robotics.”