Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (Stem) subject head at President-Park’s Nokuphila School says the school does not want to leave learners behind when it comes to the mercurial technological world irrespective of their background.
As a results the school have launched a programme that will offers their learners a well-rounded learning experience.
Matshoene Tladi said this when the World celebrated World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development that is commemorated annually on March 4.
Tladi said their Stem programme is a learning bridge that connects various standalone subjects.
“It [programme] will equip learners with essential skills in the form of hands-on experiments and challenges. It will also integrate principles and knowledge from natural science, technology, mathematics, robotics, engineering and coding,” said Tladi.
“Our world is undergoing a major shift with The Fourth Industrial Revolution, and we want our learners to keep up. To do so, Nokuphila has implemented a Stem programme that will help equip learners for future job opportunities. The programme will also teach essential skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving collaboration, and digital literacy – all of which are increasingly important in today’s ever-evolving landscape.”
The donor-funded schools, which relies mostly on donations and caters for unprivileged kids from around Ivory Park, hopes to give them a fair opportunity.
Asked why is it important to have Stem programmes in underprivileged areas, Tladi said the future of our nation and the world hinges on today’s youth, many of whom are in impoverished neighbourhoods.
“To ensure that the youth have an equal opportunity to thrive, it is important to boost their confidence by providing them with resources and opportunities they may not otherwise be able to access due to financial constraints. Thereby enabling all children, regardless of socioeconomic status or background, a chance at success in this ever-evolving digital arena.”
Tladi concluded that many impoverished communities lack quality Stem education programmes due to a shortage of resources.
“With limited funding available this problem is exacerbated, hindering any progress that can be made towards bridging this gap,” concluded Tladi.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/302574/invest-more-time-on-robotics-and-codes/
