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DWSD programme to upgrade schools for 4IR

19 Sep 2019

As South Africa gears itself up for the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), the purpose of education will need to evolve based on the needs of society through the realignment of school curriculum to support learners and educators. Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education combined with reading for meaning has become more important to equip learners; while creative and critical thinking are some of the skills that are required for Industry 4.0.

Learners from Nkgopoleng Secondary School demonstrating a Science Experiment

KST in partnership with the Free State Department of Education (FSDoE) are implementing the District Whole School Development (DWSD) programme in the Fezile Dabi and Motheo districts. Yesterday, 18 September 2019, KST handed over four projects in three schools in the Fezile Dabi District as part of the programme’s infrastructure development. Infrastructure development is a key part of the DWSD programme, and is awarded to schools based on two categories: basic infrastructure and incentivised infrastructure. The provision of infrastructure is preceded by a thorough needs analysis of the school, which determines what facilities are either built or renovated.

Over R3 million investment was made in the building of Grade R classrooms at Phitshana Primary School, renovation of science laboratory and library at Nkgopoleng Secondary School and renovation of science laboratory at Kahobotjha-Sakubusha Secondary School. This infrastructure will benefit 3710 learners and 118 educators.

Learners from Kahobotjha-Sakubusha Secondary School in their renovated Science Lab

“We are proud of Nkgopoleng Secondary School for achieving 100% in the 2018 National Senior Certificate Examinations and Kahobotjha-Sakubusha Secondary School for attaining 92.4%. Educators and learners must continue with the hard work as we prepare for the 2019 National Senior Certificate Examinations. Hard work does payoff and through our partnership with KST we are able to incentivise programme schools that reach or exceed the threshold through the DWSD programme,” said MEC Dr PHI Makgoe Free State Department of Education.

“The DWSD programme takes a holistic approach not only focusing on basic and incentive infrastructure but also provides curriculum support to educators, empowerment and transformation workshops to school leadership, instructional leadership and learner vision screening and testing. We encourage all learners and educators to fully utilise and maximise this infrastructure to ensure that learners take advantage and enjoy STEM subjects,” said Kaya Nyati Stakeholder Relations & Communications Manager KST.