21 Jun 2015

Learners will in the near future have to choose between vocational and academic education at an early age.

Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Moiseraela Goya, said this when addressing a kgotla meeting in Mogobane recently.

He said the ministry, through the Education and Training Strategic Sector Plan (ETSSP), intended to transform the education sector to address current challenges.  Mr Goya said the current system has produced white collar jobs hence failing to instill life skills in learners. 

The assistant minister said learners would have the opportunity to choose between vocation and academic training at junior secondary school level.

He said the current education system would have to change to cater for dual pathways between vocational and academic learning. The assistant minister noted that the move would go a long way in creating employment, eradicating poverty and diversifying the economy. 

Furthermore, Mr Goya said as of next year, the government would enroll about 20 000 leaners in vocational and technical training.

As part of the ETSSP programme implementation, Minister Goya said all leaners would be exposed to the pre-school setup before enrolling for Standard One.

One resident, Mr Lesedi Motlhankane said automatic progression has contributed to the high number of students who perform below par.

He said there was need for students who fail to repeat in order to attain better grades.

Another resident, Ms Kedibonye Ngwako said the government through programmes such as the internship programme caters for youth with qualifications while those who failed have little attention.

For his part, the Member of Parliament for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana pleaded for the improvement of the feeding programme at primary school level. He said primary school food supply was always inconsistent, and added that primary schools do not have dining halls and kitchens.

Mr Rantuana, however, commended the government for introducing  vocational education as part of basic education provision. ENDS