The Department of Education is keeping its promise to improve the syllabus for high school learners. Their aim is to equip learners from grade 10 to 12 with skills that will prepare them for the job market. The Department's Elijah Mhlanga said the programme has to be rolled out by 2025. In August, the Department of Basic Education confirmed it is still on track to make significant changes to the school curriculum in the coming years.                                                                                                           "The changes are an attempt to boost mathematics, science and technology among learners in the country. Equipment and software will also be provided in support of the new subjects which include coding and robotics."

THE 4th INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

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Mhlanga said office administration, art and design and hairdressing are also among the 17 subjects that the Department has been gradually rolling out.
"We are expanding the curriculum offering to make sure that learners have an opportunity to follow a career path that gives a quick opportunity to employment. We are focusing on skills. We are focusing on the 4th Industrial Revolution," said Mhlanga.
He said  they find that there are a lot of young people who say the curriculum does not give them options to follow their career path, so they needed to be creative and introduce subjects that would be of interest to them
When asked whether properly prepared educators are available to teach the new subjects, he explained that training for the General Education Certificate (GEC) is currently underway.

KIDS DROPPING OUT

Speaking to Zimoja, Siphesihle Sibeko, a Grade 11 learner at Curtis Nkondlo School of Specialisation in Emndeni, Soweto, said she was studying towards a career in commerce. "I want to study financial law and I see no difference in what I'm learning compared to my friends from other schools. I feel like they should equip us specifically for what we want to study in at tertiary. I don't think what we're doing now will help me, because  they are just generalising. " Zanele Tshabalala, who is a teacher in primary school said it's a brilliant move but their roll out is slow.
"Kids need to be equipped from primary school level. If they want to become swimmers or singers they should be groomed towards that direction. I studied history in high school but I don't see how it's helping me now. Kids are dropping out of school because their options are limited. If a child wants to be a bricklayer they should have that option, she said.