"The release of this document is a defining moment in our country's economic evolution. The fact that there is a strong focus on competence means that the Department of Higher Education has prioritised the unemployment dilemma," said Jackie Carroll, CEO of Media Works.
There are two main aspects of the White Paper that Media Works considers to be very encouraging, namely:
1. Focus on the NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training): This group of people, mostly aged between 18 and 24, are a serious threat to social instability. It is a highly dissatisfied and volatile group. To address social inequality and poverty, we must meet the needs of the young, the economy or society if we are not to feed a hotbed of social ills like crime, HIV, drug and alcohol abuse. Poverty, coupled with the lack of opportunity and lack of hope, translates into continued unemployment - and so the cycle continues.
The establishment of Community Education and Training Centres (CETCs), a new type of education institution to address adult and out-of-school youth education needs, is a great idea. "Never before has adult basic education and training been prioritised. I consider the CETC initiative as a quantum education leap," commented Carroll.
2. The cohesive approach between FET colleges, adult education and training providers and universities: The White Paper acknowledges to bring together post school education and training institutions by overcoming a host of challenges, among them:
This is a very necessary step in improving the standard of labour that is available. All people who graduate from the wide variety of educational institutions will be well-trained and competent. Post-school education and training institutions now have to be in line with each other, by way of improved communication between stakeholders and cohesion in curriculums being taught. In doing this, the Department of Higher Education is accepting responsibility to ensure that those entering the labour market are qualified and competent.
The White Paper is a solid step in the right direction. "If we are not able to fix our post-schooling crisis by 2030, South Africa will enter a persistent downward spiral. We cannot afford to support any more people on welfare. Tax- paying citizens (the employed) are taxed to the maximum. Our financial resources are exhausted. People need to be able to care for themselves. They can only do this, if they have decent work for a decent life. To achieve this, they need access to decent education and training," concluded Carroll.
Download the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training: Building on Expanded, Effective and Integrated Post-School Education G 37229 GoN 11 (206 KB)
