12 August 2022

MEC Lesufi and Honeywell open new coding and robotics lab at St.Barnabas School of Specialisation

Submitted by: Matimu Define Mabunda
MEC Lesufi and Honeywell open new coding and robotics lab at St.Barnabas School of Specialisation

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Aug. 11, 2022 – The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has partnered with Nasdaq-listed technology firm, Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) to boost digital skills among Gauteng learners by launching the Futureshaper Lab at St Barnabas School of Specialisation.

The partners today opened a new robotics and coding education centre called the Futureshaper Lab at St Barnabas School of Specialisation in Mathematics, Science and ICT, Johannesburg. The lab will benefit 200 high school learners per year at the school, who will embark on a specialised education programme designed to boost their knowledge of, and proficiency in, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The Lab will help develop digital skills and ignite logical and critical thinking in learners. Both learners and educators opting to participate in the programme will learn more STEM and ICT focused skills in addition to their usual computer literacy education curriculum at the school.

The programme now includes outcome-focused courses on coding, programming and robotics, as well as ‘coding clubs’, holiday training camps and ‘hack-a-thons’ to maximise learner interactivity and participation.

“As a technology company with a history in South Africa dating back more than 50 years, we are heavily invested in helping the country expand its pipeline of exciting, talented and ambitious engineers of the future across its STEM-related sectors,” said Denver Dreyer, Sub-Saharan Africa President, Honeywell. “Honeywell is right at the forefront of industrial innovation, solving some of the region’s most pressing challenges -- from sustainability to security to safety -- through ready-now technologies. Honeywell is delighted to sponsor and equip the new Futureshaper Lab alongside our partner GDE, to help provide young people with the skills they need to take these technologies forward in years to come, and make the world a smarter, safer and more sustainable place through innovation.”

The programme is part of a wider initiative by the GDE to develop Schools of Specialisations that address the mismatch between the skills with which learners exit the education system, and they meet the current need for expanded learner opportunities within the system by giving learners access to a specialised, modern, relevant, dynamic, and responsive curriculum that is an alternative to the traditional academic curriculum. Schools of Specialisation, seek to nurture the development of top talent in Gauteng across various disciplines, producing the country’s future generation of economic and industrial entrepreneurs and leaders.

“Indeed, we are excited about this initiative, which will have a huge impact in improving skills in learners. We believe this Lab is a great addition to our efforts to generate learner interest in STEM subjects which will be beneficial to their career. Let us thank our all our partners including Honeywell for heeding the call and investing in the education of our learners,” said Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi. 

In 2019, St Barnabas College was launched as a School of Specialisation (SoS) in Mathematics, Sciences and ICT to offer a highly specialised curriculum and nurture the development of top talent in Gauteng across key technology-related disciplines. A graduate of the SoS can look forward to multiple exit opportunities including joining the labour market, entrepreneurship or furthering their studies.

-- ENDS -- 

About Honeywell
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

About GDE
The Gauteng Department of Education is the department of the Government of Gauteng responsible for primary and secondary education within the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The vision of the Gauteng Department of Education is to ensure that all learners in Gauteng do well at school and leave their institutions with the values, knowledge, skills and qualifications that will give them the best chance of success in their adult lives. The Department's mission is to ensure that quality learning and teaching takes place in the classroom every day. For more news and information on the Gauteng Department of Education, please visit www.education.gauteng.gov.za/

Hlengani Associates

Hlengani Communications serves as a bridge between clients and the markets that they serve, through a specialist outsourced communication service. As a specialist outsourced communication service, we serve as a bridge between clients and their targeted audience. As an independent agency managing all aspects of communications and investor relations, clients are provided with the peace of mind that they are being provided with honest and impartial advice that is always in the best interest of the company.