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South Africa’s youth will require high levels of digital skills and 21st century life skills, including scientific, digital, financial and cultural fluency, says the Department of Digital Communications and Technologies.
The department has published a new white paper focusing on a ‘national strategy for digital and future skills for South Africa’ in which it considers the steps that should be taken to ensure that young people in South Africa have the necessary skills and are prepared for the workforce .
One of the key proposals is the introduction of digital-focused subjects in the country’s schools. While the Department of Basic Education already has plans to introduce coding and robotics as official subjects, the white paper indicates that more changes must be made to the curriculum.
“In line with the current curriculum review processes of the Department of Basic Education, it is necessary to undertake a curriculum development initiative to computer science, coding and a wide range of digital skills relevant to ever-evolving digital skills requirements, ”said the communications department.
This will include, among others, the basic concepts necessary for future study and work in the fields of:
- 3d print;
- Design and use of algorithms;
- Artificial intelligence applications;
- Big Data Analytics,
- Cyber security;
- Digital content design;
- Drone applications;
- Gamification;
- Mechatronics and robotics;
- Software Engineering.
The department said the review of the curriculum should also pay attention to language and math curricula, as these provide basic knowledge for digital learning.
“Reviewing and designing the curriculum will require attention to computational thinking and problem solving; data literacy and analytical skills; mobile literacy relevant to the ever-expanding range of digital mobile devices, ”he said.
The department said the curriculum overhaul should also be supported by advancing teachers’ digital skills and investment in digital infrastructure in schools, in addition to investment in tablets and broadband.
Teachers
The department said extended initiatives will be required over the next decade to promote teachers’ digital skills to the point where they are important contributors to digital literacy.
This means that large numbers of teachers need to be trained to teach subjects in which school-goers at the early childhood, primary and secondary developmental levels learn to be digital citizens, he said.
The department said this will include:
- Teachers from Grade R to Grade 12 who will teach coding, CAT, IT, and the fundamentals of various branches of computer science, such as AI; and
- Teachers from Grade R to Grade 12 who will teach accounting, biology, languages, math and science subjects using digital tools and applications.
“Given the volume of teachers involved, this could be provided through online platforms and / or mobile platforms. Furthermore, teacher training curricula need to be adapted and expanded to accommodate new school curricula geared towards digital literacy and fluency, ”the department said.
Infrastructure
Connectivity, security and sustainability are major issues in schools, where theft has undermined many initiatives, the department said.
“What is needed going forward is a combination of approaches for infrastructure financing, for long-term sustainability of digital infrastructure, and for community-supported security measures.
“Fast and reliable Internet access will allow a variety of new learning modalities, updates, without real familiarity, access to new information, and without research.”
While tablets are helpful in overcoming access to books locally, they need to have access to Internet-based resources to be truly useful, the department said.
“Access to the Internet outside of school hours is also important for homework research, communication and preparation, whether on tablets or smartphones, and if provided by the state or the student’s family.”
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