Inside a classroom at Joe Slovo Engineering High School in Khayelitsha, learners are no longer just reading about coding and artificial intelligence, they are building it, testing it and programming it themselves.
The launch of a new robotics and digital learning lab at the school marks a major step forward for technology education in one of Cape Town’s largest communities.
The initiative, unveiled on 8 May, with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube in attendance, forms part of the Shoprite Foundation’s national push to expand access to future-focused skills development.
As highlighted by the Shoprite Foundation, the newly opened facility is equipped with robotics kits, laptops, sensors and microcontrollers aimed at helping learners move from basic coding concepts into advanced robotics design and programming.
For many learners at the STEM-focused school, the lab introduces hands-on exposure to technology fields that were previously difficult to access outside major urban private institutions.
‘Joe Slovo Engineering High School is a STEM-focused school, making it an ideal environment to further develop learners’ technical abilities through hands-on experience,’ said Maude Modise, who is the Director of the Shoprite Foundation.
‘In a community where learners are highly capable but have limited access to advanced resources, our aim is to expand what is possible inside the classroom by bringing engineering, coding and artificial intelligence into the learning environment,’ she added.
The robotics programme has already been woven into the school timetable, as Grade 8 and 9 learners will complete coding and robotics as part of their formal curriculum, covering programming, electronics and computational reasoning.
Senior learners in Grades 10 to 12 will attend advanced after-school sessions focusing on artificial intelligence, system design and Internet of Things applications.
Minister Gwarube said initiatives like these are essential for preparing young South Africans for a rapidly changing global economy.
‘If we are to transform our continent’s demographic advantage into a true growth engine, we must ensure that Africa’s young people are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and abilities they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy,’ she said.
The programme is being implemented alongside Sifiso EdTech, which will oversee teacher support, curriculum integration and ongoing technology training at the school.
‘When you walk into the lab, learners are actively building, testing and refining projects,’ said Xoliswa Mahlangu, Head of Digital Learning and Technology at Sifiso EdTech.
‘The impact is immediate and transformative. Learners show increased engagement and confidence. They begin to see themselves as creators of technology rather than passive users.’
Joe Slovo Engineering High School has built a reputation for strong academic performance over the years, recording matric pass rates as high as 99%. School principal Sityhilelo Ntamo said the robotics lab adds another layer to the school’s long-term academic vision.
‘The introduction of a robotics lab represents an important step in building on this foundation and we welcome partnerships, such as our collaboration with the Shoprite Foundation, that help us close the opportunity gap and expand what is possible for our learners,’ Ntamo said.
The Khayelitsha lab becomes the sixth established by the Shoprite Foundation nationally, with another facility expected to open in Soweto later this month in partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation.
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Picture: Supplied
