INVESTING IN EDUCATION

BUSINESS COMMUNITY PLAYS ROLE

THE 2019 matric results showed an improved pass rate and a slight reduction in the pervasive inequalities in the system.

However, quality and throughput (the number of pupils reaching matric) remain significant challenges. As pupils settle into a new school year, the business community must reflect on the role that it can play in strengthening the sector.

Education continues to receive the most corporate support. In the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2019, education experts share insight into the fundamental ingredients needed to reform the sector:

◆ Quality research needed to bolster education

In supporting system improvements in education by bolstering research efforts, education economist Dr Gabrielle Wills makes the case for the value of research in informing quality improvements. Wills notes that, just like a company would conduct the necessary research to ensure that an expensive piece of equipment it intended to buy would effectively serve its purpose, so too should companies take the time to ensure that their investment has a solid chance of creating an impact.

◆ Investment in teacher undergraduate education is key

In the quest for greater accountability for improved school performance, education expert Nick Taylor identifies weak educator knowledge and skills as a key issue impeding quality education and says universities, the government and the private sector each have an important role to play in responding to this crisis.

The handbook is available from the Trialogue website: www.trialogue.co.za.