Durban — Excitement filled the room when the Ingelosi Primary School in uMlazi launched the coding, robotics, digital literacy and artificial intelligence programme on Wednesday.
Pupils were all smiles when they received their mobile devices from Honor (a smart devices company) and were treated to their first lesson on coding facilitated by GoDigitalSA Foundation.
School principal Queen Bhengu said she is delighted to have the programme launched at the school as she feels it will uplift the pupils and their community. She thanked the stakeholders for their contribution.
“Most pupils come from disadvantaged homes and their parents can’t afford to pay for coding classes externally. The stakeholders and sponsors have done an amazing job in helping shape their futures and open up new opportunities for them,” she said.
Chief operating officer at GoDigitalSA Foundation, Teboho Semmelink, said they go to rural and township schools to teach learners and teachers about digitisation and how it impacts their day-to-day lives.
She said they partnered with Honor to show the pupils they can learn about coding and gain more skills using their mobile phones without using any fancy equipment or laptops.
“The idea is to make it simple so the community understands you do not need more than what you have to learn about coding. Instead of using the free wi-fi at municipality libraries for Facebook, teach children about coding, and that would help them develop and innovate Apps,” she said.
The practical class was facilitated by Simphiwe Khuzwayo from GoDigitalSA.
Bantuvukani Primary School’s former principal Moeketsi Mpanya demonstrated to pupils how to operate a drone using the stretch programme.
His star pupil, Avela Nkomo, who is in Grade 7 at Bantuvukani, operated a drone using coding on a laptop.
“When I demonstrated how to use a drone for everyone, I felt as if I was flying on the clouds. I am so happy that my father encouraged me to learn coding and that Mr Mpanya taught me coding and when I grow up I want to be a medical doctor and businesswoman,” Avela said.
Another pupil, Enhle Mbhele, in Grade 4, said she was excited to learn about coding because she was learning about new things that she never knew about.
She said she hopes when she grows older she will still remember this day.
She also said that when she grows up she wants to be a scientist.
WhatsApp your views on this story to 071 485 7995.
Daily News