Ministry of Education seeks to improve practical skills-based education curriculum
THE Ministry of Education and Training wants to improve the practical skills-based education curriculum in the Kingdom.
This was revealed during the Motshane High School prevocational education exhibition day which was graced by the Minister for Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo yesterday. Prevoc is currently taught in sixteen schools in the country.
The school hosted such an event for the learners to showcase their innovative work. These learners are the ones who are enrolled in the Prevocational Education Programme.
When addressing the audience of students, teachers, and community members, Minister Owen Nxumalo expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the collaborative efforts that took part in the success of the Prevoc Day exhibition. He commended the Motshane High School Principal and the school committee for their dedication to organizing such a significant event. Nxumalo further applauded them for their role in providing learners with a platform to demonstrate their practical skills and entrepreneurial acumen.
The Minister highlighted the critical role of Prevocational Education Schools, now registered as school cooperatives, in nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship among learners. By operating as businesses and selling innovative products to communities, these schools are not only providing valuable skills training but also fostering economic growth and selfsustainability.
Amidst soaring youth unemployment rates and a shifting job market landscape,
Minister Owen Nxumalo emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to responding to the nation’s call for improved practical skills-based education. The Prevocational Education Programme, launched at Motshane High School in 1998, has evolved to become an inspiring initiative for learners seeking opportunities for self-employment, employability, and further training.
“The country’s youth unemployment is very high. White collar jobs have become scarce,” stated the Minister. “The Ministry of Education and Training is aggressively responding to the calls of Sibaya submissions for an improved practical skillsbased education curriculum. Prevocational Education Schools have now been registered as school cooperatives.
“The Minister further shared that these schools now operate like a business in that all the innovative products produced by the learners during teaching and learning are sold to communities. Nxumalo added, “The school’s Cooperatives concept, has started attracting more learners to enrol for the programme.”
Nxumalo also echoed a plea for support from all stakeholders, including school committees, traditional authorities, parents, and the business community. He emphasized the need for financial backing to sustain Prevoc initiatives, urging schools to invest in learners’ products and create a pathway for economic self-sufficiency.
The Minister added that the Ministry has allocated substantial resources towards procuring machinery and equipment for Prevoc schools. Additionally, efforts are underway to secure additional land for agricultural business projects, ensuring learners have the space to cultivate their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Again, Nxumalo extended his gratitude to educators, learners, and industry partners for their unwavering support. “To the teachers and heads of schools: we appreciate your unwavering support in ensuring learners acquire practical skills in education regardless of challenges. We know that preparing learners for such an event is not easy as it needs time and financial resources.” Remarked Nxumalo. He shared that it was worthy to note that the success of the skills education programme rests with the teachers in that they are responsible for seeing to it that the wishes of the emaSwati and aspirations for a curriculum that offers Practical “hands-on” Skills Based Education are achieved. He said: “As a Ministry, we would like to point out that Prevocational Education is not meant for under-achievers, but for all learners regardless of their IQ.”
He also emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to uplifting the quality of education in Eswatini and empowering youth to become not just job seekers, but job creators.