President Cyril Ramaphosa said last year’s improved matric results should encourage the basic education sector to redouble its efforts to tackle the “very serious” problems of school dropouts and youth unemployment.
Speaking at the Basic Education Sector Lekgotla 2023, he said the large number of students leaving school before matric exams made the theme of this year’s lekgotla, which focused on equipping students with knowledge and skills for a changing world, even more relevant.
“If we can give students more choices and better guidance, we should be able to reduce the proportion of students who drop out,” Ramaphosa said, highlighting how critical the three-stream education model is. The model covers three tracks – academic, technical vocational and technical work.
Ramaphosa said he was pleased with the progress being made in the implementation of the model in schools.
“I understand that various technical vocational specializations have been introduced in more than 550 schools, and many schools are piloting subjects in technical occupational streams,” he said.
“These subjects include agriculture, maritime and marine science, electrical, civil and mechanical technology, among others.”
Ramaphosa believes that technical skills are what South Africa needs.
“These jobs can grow our economy and, importantly, the much-needed path to entrepreneurship can be achieved by increasing students’ access to technical and vocational subjects,” he said.
Rodney Manyike, director of the Human Resource Development Council, said 90% of employment opportunities require youth with vocational skills.
“The three-stream model addresses these challenges and supports the country’s skills needs and tackles youth unemployment,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the large number of young people who are unemployed is something the country cannot do, “but it is worse if they are also not in education or training”.
“If the economy is not creating enough jobs to support the growing number of unemployed, we need to think creatively and innovatively.”
Albert Nsengiyumva, the executive secretary of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa, said the remodeling of technical and vocational skills development programs must meet the demands of the labor market.
“The way to do this includes integrating technology in the program and considering digitalization and the fourth industrial revolution,” he said.
The Deaf Education Principals’ Association (DEPA) believes that through a three-stream approach, South African sign language will be at the forefront.
“This will provide opportunities for skilled deaf students to become economically independent, reduce the number of individuals who can live on social grants, make deaf people who benefit and contribute to the country’s economy,” said DEPA national chairwoman Michelle Batchelo.