Overcoming the potholes of the South African education system through inclusive programmes
While the South African education system has come under fire several times over the past few years, the COVID-inspired hard lockdowns of 2020 have exposed further cracks. These include – but are not limited to – a high dropout rate, alarmingly high illiteracy levels and consequent poor academic performance. One may question whether the traditional education system is designed to adequately prepare young people (especially the marginalised youth living in adverse environments like townships) for their futures in the workplace. Sadly, it seems futile to wait for governmental intervention, which leaves our young people in a precarious position. In recent years, NPOs and NGOs have stepped into the situation to provide much-needed support for these young people. Just Grace is one such organisation which has created inclusive programmes designed to support at-risk youth and help them re-engage with their community.
According to governmental statistics, the dropouts begin from as young as 15 years of age (3%). These increase marginally to 9% for 17-year-olds. The concerning jump is seen among the 18-year-olds, presumably grade 12 learners, where 29.3% do not finish their secondary education. 46.3% of 19-year-olds are no longer registered for education or training, and an alarming 77% of 20-year-olds are not in tertiary education.1
While this does not mean they are necessarily unemployed, it does, however, mean they may rely entirely on a matric certificate for employment opportunities. The following demographic information on Langa further highlights the need for intervention in the field of education and youth development:
· Only 41% of youth have a matric certificate or a qualification equivalent to a matric.
· Only 6% of youth have a tertiary qualification.
· 53% of youth are unemployed
· 43% of youth are not in employment, education, or training2
The Learner Engagement Programme is designed to support disengaged youth at risk of dropping out through life skill groups, counselling and home visits by qualified social workers. This programme has seen 85% of their candidates reclassified as low or no risk. The focus of the Learner Engagement Programme extends beyond the child to address the family as a whole, embracing the belief that thriving families make for thriving communities. Just Grace seeks to address the various issues that may impact a learner to empower the family to find healing.
According to a report by Amnesty International, 75% of South African 9-year-olds are functionally illiterate3, which means they cannot read for meaning. In several provinces, this statistic reaches 91%. Inevitably, these learners will underperform academically and risk being pushed through the system without addressing and resolving this issue. Just Grace programmes, such as the book club (part of the Qhubeka! Youth Development Programme), aim to improve participants’ literacy skills and encourage the young people to engage with ideas, form opinions and debate topical issues. It is not enough to be able to read; to flourish in life, one needs to be able to think critically and question sound arguments.
Many of the young people in Langa do not have personal access to the internet. Through programmes such as those run by Just Grace, they are not only exposed to the digital world. Still, they are equipped to succeed through technical skill development. The Qhubeka! Youth Development Programme supports participants through academic tutoring groups and computer literacy classes – including a coding course. While academic training is essential, so too is helping the youth holistically, equipping them with skills that will prepare them for life in the workforce. Such programmes aim to create citizens who can enter the workforce and maintain a sustainable life.
In the aftermath of the COVID hard lockdown of 2020, South African schools have faced much pressure to ‘catch up’ the lost time. The danger of becoming so content-focused is that vital non-cognitive skills are overlooked, and learners are not adequately prepared for life beyond the classroom. Evidence-based programmes are greatly needed to empower marginalised youth with cognitive and non-cognitive skills. The Qhubeka! Youth Development Programme (aimed at high school learners), and the Phakama! Youth Activation Programme (open to Langa youth aged 17 – 27) emphasise developing cognitive, non-cognitive and technical skills. Participants gain soft skills such as communication, interpersonal skills and leadership, as well as developing hard, job-specific skills through the technical training courses offered (barista, accounting technicians and sewing). The programme is specifically designed to prepare candidates for either further studies or employment – a step towards ending the cycle of unemployment and poverty within their community.
Social development programmes, such as those discussed above, are built on a culture of empowerment, equipping the youth with invaluable skills that will allow them a more hope-filled future. So long as education within South Africa remains a matter of statistics and purely ‘book knowledge’, for the sake of our children, more support needs to be extended to NPO-based programmes seeking to assist learners within marginalised communities.
References:
- South African Governmental statistics. [accessed 27 March 2023]. https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=15520
- Youth Explorer [online] Available at: https://geo.youthexplorer.org.za/#category-21 [Accessed 28 March 2023].
- Amnesty International. (2020, 7 February). South Africa: Broken and unequal education perpetuating poverty and inequality. Www.Amnesty.Org. [Accessed 27 March 2023] from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/02/south-africa-broken-and-unequal-education-perpetuating-poverty-and-inequality/
