Phuti Mosomane
Basic Education Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule said the department remains set on equipping South African learners with the skills and competencies required for the modern ever-changing workplace.
Mhaule was speaking during the Basic Education Budget Vote Debate in Parliament.
“To this end, the DBE has enhanced its curriculum with introducing Coding and Robotics; 11 new technical subjects; and intends to introduce Aviation and Aerospace, Mining Studies and Aquaponics into the curriculum,” she said.
Mhaule said the Entrepreneurship Framework is also being implemented in many schools to prepare the youth for employability to curb unemployment.
“One of the main achievements of the 6th Administration was the transfer of ECD to the DBE, as early childhood development and foundational learning is central to building basic human capabilities to ensure opportunities for all children,” Mhaule said.
The percentage of 5-year-olds attending educational institutions has increased from 40% in 2002 to almost 90%, and she added that the DBE is intending to increase participation through its mass registration drive.
According to the department, not only have more learners completed Grade 12 to obtain the National Senior Certificate (NSC), but the pass rate has also steadily increased over this period.
In addition, the number of Bachelor level passes have tripled since 2008, whilst the share from no fee schools has increased to two thirds of all Bachelor passes.
The number of NSC candidates scoring more than 60% in Mathematics and Science was achieved in 2023. The gender gap in high level Mathematics and Science achievement has been closed, with more female learners achieving, she said.
The Deputy Minister invited members to join the DBE at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Gauteng Province, for the 2024 ABC Motsepe South Africa School Choir Eisteddfod (ABC Motsepe SASCE) National Championships taking place from 7 to 10 August 2024.
“The ABC Motsepe SASCE is one of the most prestigious events in the annual school calendar. It is part of our broader strategy for building social cohesion and promoting unity in diversity as envisaged in the Constitution of democratic South Africa.
“The Eisteddfod is a lever for delivering key messages to young people on current challenges and threats facing the country, Africa and the world, like the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, bullying and other social ills,” she said.
The ABC Motsepe SASCE offers a new addition to the Folklore Category in 2024; all primary schools are required to perform Sepedi as a prescribed compulsory culture for 3 minutes and any African folklore from the diverse cultures of the province (maximum 3 minutes).
Secondary schools are required to perform isiNdebele as a prescribed compulsory culture for 3 minutes and any African folklore from the diverse cultures of the province (maximum 3 minutes).
For the first time in the history of SASCE, the Secondary School Western piece will, this year, be accompanied by an orchestra.
INSIDE EDUCATION
