1. The Curriculum for Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R-9 has been developed as a stand-alone subject for the following reasons:
2. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) initiated a process of developing the draft curriculum and Policy Statement for Coding and Robotics for Grade R-9. The development process was highly inclusive of DBE and PED specialists, and stakeholders with expertise and knowledge in the field of Coding and Robotics from business and sistergovernment departments, NAPTOSA, NATU, PEU, SADTU, SAOU, Academia (5 Universities) and NGO Sector.
The Draft Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R -9 was presented and approved at Heads of Education Committee (HEDCOM) and Council of Education Ministers (CEM) and has been submitted to UMALUSI for Evaluation and Quality Assurance. The Draft Curriculum and Assessment Policy statements (CAPS) documents for Coding and Robotics for Grades R-3, Grades 4-6, and Grades 7-9 are developed. A process of gazetting the draft CAPS documents for public comments is underway.
The draft CAPS for Grades R-3 and Grade 7 for Coding and Robotics curriculum will be piloted in 2021-2024 for Grades R-3 in two hundred (200) schools and for Grade7-9 in one thousand (1000) schools. Full implementation in will commence in 2025.
(b)The Department of Basic Education has secured funding for the Grades R-3 from ETDP-SETA and the amount secured is seven million (R7 000 000). A business plan was submitted to the National Treasury requesting funding for the strengthening of Technology subject in Grades4-9 through integration of Coding and Robotics. The amount approved by National Treasury for the request was sixty million R60 000 000.