Known for its academic excellence and currently the only University in South Africa with a Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, TUT’s Faculty of ICT was invited and given a platform to inspire and empower the learners as they embark on their new journey.
Today's learners' minds and attitudes are fertile and ready to thrive in the technological space. They were born in the digital era, and it is not surprising that they do not need a manual to operate any digital gadget as it is natural for them. The only tool they need is an enabling and conducive learning environment.
According to Lydia Moseki, Principal of Mapenane Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation, the school was initially not performing well because of various environmental factors, including the location of the school. However, she was optimistic that they could change this narrative.
“Our team of hardworking educators are fully immersed in cultivating African minds. We pride ourselves in producing quality results. Most of the time our results are also with a good average. Furthermore, we want to assist learners to be developed holistically by infusing extra-curricular activities in their learning,” she commented.
Guests included FoICT staff; MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane; District Director, Yvonne Mooke; Ward CIIr, Violet Phalwane, and the community at large.
In his speech, the MEC accentuated that the initiative of introducing schools of specialisation, aims to nurture the talent in South Africa across key disciplines and developing the country’s future generations of leaders. “The initiative is aimed at sharpening and driving leaners into what/who they want to become."
Coding and robotics play a fundamental role in unleashing the learning experience of learners who are going to be at the forefront of future jobs.
“We are enhancing technological learning in the modern world, through equipping both teachers and learners with practical skills and knowledge to face the rapidly developing digital world. It has been proven that tomorrow's jobs and careers have not been defined or created yet, but we know that they will be embedded in technical skills,” said Bongani Makofane from Resolute Education, Schools' Coding and Robotics Coach.
One leaner highlighted learners’ need to learn and practice using technology. It is an essential and critical tool for them to gain first-hand experience, doing research using technology and other solutions they can tap into through creative, critical and collaborative thinking and skills.
In conclusion, the Principal said they aim for gold and look forward to having successful learners form their school reaching places that were not accessible to them before. “We are capacitating educators to be fully motivated and enthusiastic about this initiative as well. With the help from institutions like TUT, we board the project-based learning space whole-heartedly and we pledge to participate globally in this regard.”