The South African Department of Basic Education has confirmed the introduction of the “three-tier education model,” which will see 38 new subjects added to the curriculum.
This is intended to boost employment and tackle unemployment.
The new curriculum change will target learners from grade 10-12 and is expected to be fully integrated by 2025.
According to the Department of Basic Education, three-tier education model rollout will target academic, vocational and vocational education streams. The goal for this project is “to help learners get a better education and find jobs.”
The education system focuses on the academic streams, which aims to move learners through the matric, into universities and high education centres. However, with the high drop out rate in secondary school, the Department of Basic Education has chosen to place a huge emphasis on the other two streams.
“It’s because we’re putting kids through a school stream when some of them are gifted differently. And if they could be helped to use their hands, these children would succeed,” said Seliki Tlhabane, the department’s chief director for mathematics, science and technology. Newzroom Africa.
He continued, “Society has the false impression that vocational and professional programs are below academic level.” Basic education has a huge role to play in ensuring that these children are supported and offered opportunities based on their interest and ability to pursue certain pathways,” he stated.
He also added that the aim of the model was to “prepare learners for the world of work.”
“It’s about taking the abilities of children and creating pathways that will help them enter the workforce and be able to participate meaningfully.”
According to Seliki the fundamental difference between the three streams of education lies in the practical work, he explained.
The Academic streams will require a minimum of practical work. The other two will require vocational courses which will consist of 50% theory and 50% practical work. The vocational streams, it will require 25% theory and 75% practical work.
NEW TOPICS TO INTRODUCE
According to the Department of Basic Education, some of the vocational subjects that have already been tested include:
- Agricultural studies
- Beauty and nail technology
- Art and Crafts
- Auxiliary health care
- administration office
- Tapestry
- Early Childhood Development (ECD)
- Maintenance
- Engine mechanics
- Food production
- Body work / panel beating and / or spray painting
- needlework
- Welding
- Hotel studies
- sheet metal
- Wholesaler and retailer
- Electrical technology
- Masonry and plastering
- woodworking and woodworking
- Plumbing
- Hairdressing
Some of the most important professional topics to understand:
- Agricultural studies
- Art and design
- Digital technology
- ECD
- Mechanical technology
- Electrical technology (digital, electronic and electrical)
- Civil technology
- Hairdressing and Beauty
- Auxiliary health care
- Services: Maintenance and Upholstery
- consumer studies
- Hotel studies
- Wholesale and retail studies
