The Trevor Noah Foundation (TNF), in collaboration with Sifiso EdTech, has taken a significant step toward revolutionizing township education through its Khulani Schools Programme. Two Johannesburg East District schools, Mikateka Primary and PS Tsosane Primary, were the fortunate beneficiaries of the Al Coding and Robotics project, launched on Thursday, 15 August 2024 at Mikateka Primary School.
The project brought a range of technological donations that are set to transform the learning landscape at both schools. These donations included tablets, internet connectivity, refurbished computer labs, smart TVs, coding kits—complete with robots—and laptops for teachers. Most importantly, both schools’ educators underwent extensive training in Coding and Robotics during the Term 2 holidays, thanks to fully funded initiatives by TNF and Sifiso EdTech, supported by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and facilitated by the Teacher Development Unit.
The launch event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including representatives from TNF, GDE, Sifiso EdTech, and the Matthew Goniwe School of Governance and Leadership. Principal Mr. Sibanyoni of Mikateka Primary School opened the event by expressing his gratitude for the generous donations and support. He hailed the initiative as a turning point for his school and PS Tsosane, confidently stating, “We now see our schools as private schools in a township.”
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Sizwe Nxasana, founder and CEO of Future Nation Schools and the Sifiso Learning Group, which includes Sifiso EdTech. Mr. Nxasana celebrated the partnership with TNF, which he credited for achieving the remarkable milestone of modernizing these schools. He further revealed that the Coding and Robotics curriculum had been gazetted and would be legally implemented in schools starting from 2025. He called for a stronger focus on artificial intelligence and the 4th Industrial Revolution, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to improving township schools and empowering underprivileged communities.
In his address on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Education, Mr. Alex “Shanty” Songo, Deputy Chief Education Specialist at GDE’s Strategic Partnership Directorate, reinforced the significance of this initiative in line with the department’s broader strategy of modernizing township schools. He highlighted that the project aligns with the GDE’s 6th Administration strategy, spearheaded by the former MEC and now Premier, Panyaza Lesufi. This strategy is geared toward creating schools of the future, with a focus on infrastructure development, quality education, and skills development in townships, informal settlements, and hostels (TISH).
Mr. Songo further emphasized that the DBE (Department of Basic Education) had announced in 2021 that Coding and Robotics would be incorporated as official policies across grades. Starting from 2025, this futuristic curriculum will be fully implemented in schools across the country, ensuring learners are equipped with technical skills and not just academic qualifications. Mr. Songo called for schools to protect and maximize the use of the resources provided, and he reaffirmed GDE’s commitment to forming more strategic partnerships aimed at transforming township education.
With the launch of this groundbreaking project, TNF and Sifiso EdTech are set to make a lasting impact on the lives of learners and educators at Mikateka Primary and PS Tsosane. These schools are now poised to lead the way in South Africa’s journey toward modernizing education and preparing future generations for the demands of a technology-driven world.
The Trevor Noah Foundation’s Khulani Schools Programme, coupled with the visionary support of Sifiso EdTech, serves as a beacon of hope for township education, proving that it truly takes a village to raise a child—and, in this case, a generation of tech-savvy, future-ready learners.
