• Together with Forge Academy & Labs, learners at The King’s School West Rand have access to a buffet of cutting-edge technology.
• The 4IR lab launched this week enables extracurricular education in software development, game development and more.
• The school and academy are also working to educate teachers who work at previously disadvantaged schools to expand access to 4IR education.

The King’s School West Rand is the new home of a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) lab kitted out and designed by Forge Academy & Labs.

Through this lab, the school will be able to expose its learners to cutting-edge technology that is shaping the world as we speak. The lab includes 3D printing capabilities, robotics kits, coding stations and VR kits as well.

This gives King’s School West Rand the ability to cover education in the following areas:

• Software Development & Coding,
• Robotics & Automation,
• Game Development & VR,
• 3D Design & Digital Manufacturing,
• AI & Data Science.

“The digital landscape is continually evolving, and Forge Academy & Labs is leading the way in ensuring our youth quickly adapt to these changing demands. We are delighted with the result of our new lab, and our students are excited to dive right into the immersive learning experiences. 4IR Labs like these are essential for equipping the next generation to thrive in the digital economy,” said principal of the school, Philip Theron.

But this is just the first phase of the collaboration between The Kings School and Forge Academy & Labs. Through the King’s School teacher programme, 30 interns are placed at previously disadvantaged schools in Pretoria, Soweto, East London, Port Alfred, and Cape Town annually.

These teacher interns will now also have the opportunity to participate in a future skills programme which will equip them to equip learners from those schools with 4IR skills.

Forge Academy & Labs notes that initiatives such as this are always in need of assistance is always needed. Any person or business interested in getting involved should contact the institution. Contact details can be found on Forge Academy & Labs’ website.

“The King’s School West Rand shares Forge Academy & Labs’ vision of preparing students for the digital economy by integrating cutting-edge technology into learning. This partnership ensures that students get equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It has been a great milestone, and we look forward to witnessing the fruits of the hard work and the next phase of our project,” chief executive officer at the academy, Craig Clutty said in a statement.

The public sector is opening labs as well

The public sector has also been opening cyber labs rather frequently. On Tuesday, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, opened a cyber lab at Oaklands High School in Cape Town.

The 4IR lab is equipped with 40 laptops and “modern infrastructure designed to enhance digital learning”. The minister put emphasis on the fact that merely having access to a laptop is not enough and educators need to be properly trained as well. This includes digital literacy training that includes coding, web development, and other digital skills.

The goal is to give more South Africans the knowledge they need to take advantage of the ever-growing digital economy.

“Bridging the digital divide is not just about providing technology—it’s about ensuring that young people have the skills and opportunities to use it effectively. This Cyber Lab ensures that learners from these communities are not left behind but are equipped to thrive in a digital future. By investing in both infrastructure and digital literacy—including coding, website design, and other high-demand digital skills—we are laying the foundation for more inclusive economic participation and future job opportunities in the tech sector,” said Malatsi.

The 4IR cyber lab isn’t just beneficial to learners at Oakland High School, it will help expand access for learners in the surrounding areas of Lansdowne, Khayelitsha, Langa, Philippi, Mitchells Plain and Nyanga.

We hope to see more cyber labs opening at schools in the both the public and private sphere opening throughout the year.