Primary Education Minister Angie Motshekga
The Department of Basic Education is moving forward with plans to introduce a new school certificate for grade 9 students, but the full rollout is now a year later, in 2025.
Primary Education Minister Angie Motshekga said at a media conference this weekend that testing of the General Education Certificate is progressing, after the credential was launched in 270 schools in all nine provinces by 2022.
In 2023, the pilot will be expanded to 1,000 schools. While it was originally planned to go to all South African schools by 2024, the trial is instead being extended again that year, with full implementation now scheduled for 2025.
The extended pilot period, according to the minister, will provide the department with “further lessons” on how to improve the quality of the assessment tools used for the certificate, and how to better incorporate these tools into school-based assessments and generate a holistic GEC student report.
“The aim of the GEC is to provide students with extensive opportunities to demonstrate their inquiry-based learning capabilities, solve real-world problems and design practical solutions that will better prepare them for further education and training and the world of work,” Motshekga said.
“The assessment tools are designed to integrate 21st century skills learning within the scope of expected curriculum competencies.”
In 2023, in addition to expanding the pilot to more schools, the number of participating schools will include skills schools and all 75 education districts, with further expansion expected for 2024. It is envisaged that all schools will participate in the GEC at grade 9 level in 2025.
The certificate has been criticized, with critics blaming the department for setting a premise for 9th grade students, preventing them from progressing to the matric.
The department has made it clear that this is not a way out of the education system. Instead, the certificate helps students make smarter decisions, especially those who can shift their focus to more technical subjects and professions rather than a single focus on a college or university education.
According to the department, hundreds of students each year leave the school system without a degree, making it difficult for them to find work. Once these students earn a certificate, they can move on to another type of instruction.
“This allows students to be recognized after ten years of education (grade 9) for their level of curriculum achievement, overall abilities and talents,” it said.
According to recent statistics from Stats SA, unemployment is on the rise at all levels of education in South Africa. Those with a tertiary education, on the other hand, are most likely to be employed.
According to statistics, those with a qualification below a matric have the worst unemployment rate and the lowest absorption rate in the country, with both measures deteriorating over the past five years.
In contrast, those with a higher degree have the lowest unemployment rate and the greatest chance of being included in the labor force.
