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By Lungile Ntimba
The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has accused the province of denying learners the opportunity to learn coding and robotics, computer applications technology and information technology due to a shortage of teachers.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane revealed in a written response to the DA’s questions in the Gauteng legislature that there was a shortage of 300 teachers for coding and robotics, 36 for IT and 35 for computer applications technology.
“This is unacceptable as learners are being left out in preparation for future workplaces that are increasingly reliant on new technology,” DA provincial education spokesperson Michael Waters said in a statement on Monday.
He further criticised the department for not complying with the national education policy, which stated that teaching coding to pupils should begin in Grade R.
“If premier (Panyaza) Lesufi is serious about growing the technology workforce in Gauteng, his government must start investing in infrastructure gaps and teacher shortages,” said Waters.
“The digital economy continues to accelerate at an ever-increasing speed while Gauteng learners are left behind.”
He said that many schools did not have computers, electricity and internet connections in their classrooms, making it impossible to offer IT lessons.
With nearly half of all teachers expected to retire over the next decade, Waters said drastic action was needed to ensure that critical subjects were not negatively affected and that learners were prepared for an ever-changing economy.
He said the DA would prioritise investing in school infrastructure, resources and teachers to ensure that schools across the province learned IT and were equipped for future workplaces.
“We will also prioritise the speedy roll-out of the Gauteng Broad Band Network to ensure all schools are connected to the internet.”
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
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