LETTERS
Growing the investment in education
THIS YEAR’s matrics are writing their final exams, the last in 12 years of formal primary and secondary education. Government, corporate South Africa, and society at large, stand behind the matrics and wish them well.
Upon completion of their exams, this cohort of matriculants will prepare to enter the world of work, or pursue further studies.
Having designated education an apex priority, South Africa makes a massive public investment in education. Spending on basic education in 2017 amounted to about R240 billion, or 17.5% of the consolidated budget. This will increase to about R261bn in 2018/19 and R280bn in 2019/20.
In the context of increasing poverty, inequality and joblessness, we must reflect on whether our education system is producing the required return on investment in terms of the quality of pupils and graduates.
Are we producing graduates who can perform efficiently and effectively in a digital economy which is expected to serve as a catalyst to the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.
While education is an enabler of national competitiveness, it is also crucial to improving the quality of life of individuals, families and communities.
Despite some challenges, we are beginning to see the results of our collective effort to deliver quality education. Trends between 2003 and 2015 indicate that South Africa has consistently improved its performance in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.
In 2016 South Africa made the biggest improvement of any education system in the world since we have been participating in the study.
However, the challenge remains whether the education system and policy are agile enough to respond to the rapid pace of the changing needs of employers to enable employment.
According to the Human Sciences Research Council, “digital skills can rapidly become obsolete due to changes in business approaches and the advances in technology. Training programmes and school curricula need to become more agile and responsive to this.”
Research has found that there is a disconnect between the entrance requirements of higher education programmes and the computer applications technology subject offered at secondary schools in South Africa.
The council has also found that, “Internationally, ICT-based employment often requires a level of skill above that provided by secondary school but less than that offered at universities.
“This suggests the need to balance the demands of the employer with the curricula offered by secondary schools, vocational training facilities and digital training programmes.
Among others, key skills demanded but often lacking in many sectors include information, document and computer use.”
Looking at international case studies, the council has found that, jobs positioned at the intermediate level in Canada, were found to be more in demand but lacked a supply of trained employees. In the US, intermediate positions accounted for 48% of all jobs while 80% of these jobs required skills such as spreadsheets, word-processing and other middle-tier skills.
Looking at these statistics, and in light of South Africa’s challenges in quality education outcomes, employment opportunities may be receding further from the majority of our young people. The resulting consequence will be that inclusive economic growth and development is also moving further out of the reach of the majority of our citizens.
The net effect will be that despite massive public investments in education, our young people will remain marginalised and unable to access further education or even entry level job opportunities.
It would be easy to suggest that government bears the sole responsibility to develop and implement solutions to these challenges. However, young people belong to us all, they are our national asset.
We came together to fight the brutal system of oppression, we must come together to ensure our young people can reap the benefits of investment in education.
We must also contribute to innovative solutions to the socio-economic conditions which are impacting negatively on quality education outcomes. The young generation, to whom we will bequeath the country, deserve this. Director of Mbuso Management Solutions
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