Gateway to opportunity
A wave of excitement is sweeping through Tlhabane Primary School in Rustenburg as the institution embraces a new era of digital transformation.
At the heart of this progress stands the school’s principal, Ditshego Tlhowe, whose vision for the future of education is steadily becoming a reality.
The recent connection to the Evotel network has not only improved internet access at the school but has also sparked ambitious plans to introduce Robotics and Coding classes for learners as young as Grade R to Grade 3.
For Principal Tlhowe, the Evotel connection represents far more than faster internet speeds; it is a gateway to opportunity, innovation, and empowerment for young learners who are growing up in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking with enthusiasm during an Evotel visit to the school, Tlhowe said the partnership has already begun transforming the way they operate.
“I’m happy with progress here at the school, and Evotel has simplified our lives. I want our learners to create robots and code them too to do certain functions. This will be one of the best schools in Rustenburg,” he said confidently.
The introduction of Robotics and Coding for foundation phase learners is set to begin in the second term in April.
Coding and robotics
While many schools only introduce such subjects at higher grades, Tlhabane Primary is taking a bold step by targeting early childhood development.
The initiative aligns with South Africa’s broader focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
Tlhowe believes that exposing learners to coding and robotics at an early age will nurture creativity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.
“Children are naturally curious,” he explained.
“When you give them tools to build and program, you unlock their imagination. We want them not just to consume technology, but to create it.”
Behind this milestone is a strong partnership between the school, internet service providers, and corporate stakeholders.
The connectivity infrastructure was made possible through the support of Thusang, the ISP responsible for connecting the school to the Evotel network.
Tlhowe expressed deep appreciation for the seamless installation and ongoing support.
“Connected by ISP Thusang, we truly appreciate the support from Evotel. The connection has changed how we do administration, communication, and now teaching,” he added.
Reliable connectivity has already improved internal processes at the school where teachers can now access online educational resources, administrative tasks are completed more efficiently, and communication with parents has become smoother – the biggest transformation is expected in the classroom.
The 4iR journey has only just begun
To ensure the successful rollout of Robotics and Coding lessons, Tlhabane Primary has invested in teacher training where three teachers have already undergone specialised training, generously sponsored by Sibanye-Stillwater Mines, whose contribution has been instrumental in preparing the school for this next chapter.
Tlhowe highlighted the importance of equipping educators with the right skills: “We cannot introduce coding and robotics without empowering our teachers first. Thanks to Sibanye Mines, we now have trained educators who are ready to lead our learners into this exciting space.
“Our aim is to grow in AI and 4IR. These are not just buzzwords, they are the future of work and innovation. If we prepare our children now, they will be ready for careers that may not even exist yet,” said Tlhowe.
Parents have responded positively to the announcement, expressing excitement that their children will gain exposure to advanced technological skills at such a young age.
In a community where access to cutting-edge resources has often been limited, this development signals hope and progress.
The introduction of robotics kits and beginner-friendly coding platforms will allow learners to build simple robots and program them to perform specific tasks.
Whether it’s making a robot move forward, follow a line, or respond to commands, these foundational experiences will lay the groundwork for more advanced learning in later grades.
For Tlhowe, the 4iR journey has only just begun.
The connection to the Evotel network represents a turning point – a moment where vision meets opportunity.
