The Department of Basic Education has gazetted changes to the National Policy pertaining to the Programme and Promotion Requirements Grades R – 12, officially addingThe department has been piloting coding and robotics as a subject in schools for several years, starting with a small test group in grades R to 3 in 2021.
The latest gazette officially adds the subject to grades R to 9 in the National Curriculum Statement. For grades R-3, the subject is included alongside mathematics, and for grades 4-9, the subject is included alongside mathematics, natural sciences and technology. In terms of approved subjects for the National Qualifications Framework, it is listed under among other STEM subjects such as computer applications technology, mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, information technology and maths literacy.