Robotics and coding for rural youngsters
COMMEMORATING World Children's Day, the I Learn to Live Ngifundela Ukuphila educational NPO encourages everyone to invest in learning opportunities for all children, including those from rural communities.
Observed annually on 20 November, the theme for this year's World Children's Day is 'Equality and Inclusion for Every Child'.
Situated outside Empangeni, I Learn to Live was founded in 2010 to provide educational opportunities to schoolchildren and youth in rural Zululand.
In May last year, the organisation launched the first coding and robotics club in the rural areas between Empangeni and Richards Bay, providing children with the opportunity to engage in the push towards 4iR and tech-related careers.
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I Learn to Live founder Ashling McCarthy said with the success of the pilot project, I Learn to Live sought to expand the programme into the community.
“We believe rural children and youth should be given an opportunity to create a meaningful life in which they contribute to their community and society at large,” said McCarthy.
“Ten children from the community were selected to participate in the pilot programme, which took place at the Ngqamuzane Support Centre on Saturdays.
"Children aged 9-15 were introduced to Arduino, and an open-source electronics platform that uses both software coding and hardware sensor kits. This year, 20 children attended the Saturday classes, which now include music sessions, with children learning the drums, keyboards and sight-reading,” explained McCarthy.
An ICT resource audit carried out at primary schools in the neighbouring communities revealed a dire lack of infrastructure to run computerbased programmes.
“Maqhwakazi Primary School had a functional but unused computer lab. In collaboration with the principal and parents of grade 5-7 learners, 60 children were selected to attend an after-school coding and robotics club,” she said.
I Learn to Live’s coding and robotics programme is aligned with the KZN Department of Education's focus on introducing these subjects to children in the foundation phase next year.
It also meets Sustainable Development Goal 4 which speaks of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities for all.