The Department of Education to launch the General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) in 2025.
The GETC is set to acknowledge learners’ accomplishments at the end of their grade 9 school year in a level 1 certification on the National Qualifications Framework.
The department issued a statement saying, “Many of the approximately 40% of learners who exit the education system without any qualification would now achieve a GETC, and this would provide them with some currency upon entering the labour market and would positively impact youth employment.”
As reported by ZiMoja, spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said:
“It’s really not about school leaving, but it’s about giving young people an opportunity to look at themselves in terms of strengths and weaknesses and the career choices that they need to make in their lives,” adding, “The previous pilot has given us some valuable lessons not only from the learners’ point of view but also from the educational system. As a department, we needed to assess the usefulness of it once a learner has obtained the certificate and what they can do with it. We are proceeding with the work that needs to be done.”
Elijah told the entertainment publication that these GETCs would not be for job-seeking purposes but more of a career pathing certificate that will help grade 9 learners figure out their career choices, where he stated that learners who usually finish grade 9 want to work, and getting this certificate can ensure that employers know what you are capable of, as you need to go through an assessment through the system.
“It’ll allow you to go and do whatever it is that you want to do in general careers in practical fields such as electrical and upholstery. We’ve introduced 39 new subjects in the curriculum, which gives learners the option that they don’t necessarily have to follow the academic path or go to university. They could follow different paths that will still enable them to qualify, but one that matches their interests and the world of work,” says the spokesperson.
The GETC is part of the department’s new “three-stream” strategy, which seeks to place students in academic, vocational, or occupational education based on their school achievement, says Mail & Guardian.
