In a bold statement, Motshekga revealed that she and her colleagues want to make education in this country more relevant to the South African experience. Reforms are being punted by the DBE, and it’s understood that the ministry is targeting a major rewrite of our history textbooks. Though some will scoff at the idea of an ANC minister wanting to rewrite history, the intentions behind this policy shift have genuine foundations. A move to a more ‘South Africanised’ school curriculum – particularly when it comes to history lessons – could ultimately be beneficial for children and future generations of adults.

“There is a need to accurately determine the most appropriate curriculum approach – we must envisage the development of a South African competency-based curriculum framework that addresses the unique South African context.” “As public schooling advocates, we are not the training mill for the industry; hence, we must think about how to use basic education curriculum reforms for social cohesion. Rewriting our history books and curriculum is a good start.”

Next year, two new subjects are being added to the school curriculum. Coding and Robotics lessons will be implemented from 2023 onwards, following a successful pilot. Here’s the schedule these changes will follow:

• The pilot of the draft Coding and Robotics Curriculum Grades R-to-3 and Grade 7 took place in late 2021
• A full-scale implementation for these grades is planned for the 2023 academic year.
• The Coding and Robotics pilot for Grades 4-6 and for Grade 8 is planned for 2022.
• This will be followed by a Grade 9 pilot in 2023.
• The full-scale implementation for Grades 4-6 and Grade 8 is planned for 2024.
• Finally, a complete integration for Grade 9 will take place in 2025.