Department of Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, has emphasised the importance and need for digital education.
She was addressing dignitaries who convened at the Anton Lembede Maths, Science and Technology Academy in KwaZulu-Natal for the 2024 SchoolNet South Africa Conference themed – Digital Education for the Future.
The theme encompasses important aspects of digital learning and teaching such as coding, robotics and artificial intelligence in the classroom. Mhaule echoed the vital role played by the department in ensuring a solid foundation for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
“The Basic Education Department is the foundation sector that has been assigned to create skills in preparation for the changing digital world. It is crystal clear that we need to capitalize on the digital revolution taking place, from the point of preparing our learners and teachers to use these new age solutions and our basic education sector, to exploring how we use digital technologies to better manage our planning and enhance distribution of education resources,” she said.
KZN MEC of Education, Mbali Frazer, supported the statement saying learners and teachers need to be adequately equipped with both skills and resources in preparation for the digital world and that she has no doubt that the outcomes of the SchoolNet Digital Education Conference will propel digital education to greater heights.
Mhaule also explained to stakeholders how the COVID-19 pandemic had some positive attributes and its catalysing input towards exposing the country to the digital world.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has also taught us that digital learning platforms can provide avenues for teaching and learning, which accommodates different learning styles,” she said.
She gave a report on the education sectors’ substantial push towards digitalisation and technology in South Africa since assumption of office in 2019 saying that special schools have been provided with school-based solutions consisting of assisting devices, ICT equipment and connectivity through the Universal Service Access Obligations Initiative. The number of schools that have ICT connectivity since 2019 has increased significantly.
Professor Mitchel Resnik of MIT Lifelong Kindergarten delivered a keynote opening address on “Catalysing a creative learning movement” through engaging with the free coding app- OCTASTUDIO and SCRATCH.
“OCTOSTUDIO is a free mobile coding app where children can take photos, record sounds and bring them to life with coding blocks. On the other hand, SCRATCH is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games and animations”, said Professor Resnik.
Mhaule encouraged all convened at the conference to seize the opportunity and learn all they can.
“Overall, digital learning is crucial for South Africa’s educational advancement and linguistic term socio-economic development. It ensures that all citizens have the opportunity to thrive in a digitalized world,” concluded Mhaule.