Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Unsplash
Angie Motshekga has been given the thumbs-up, after she submitted her latest policy document for public comment. The Basic Education Minister has confirmed that her department is looking to introduce 13 new school subjects to the curriculum in the near future – teaching children about various ‘practical’ elements.
It’s proposed that this wealth of fresh topics could radically alter the way pupils learn, giving them more ‘life skills’ in the process. These new subjects come in a baker’s dozen, and include everything from creative pursuits to digital studies:
(These topics will be introduced as options for Grade 8 and Grade 9 students)
Motshekga has been buoyed by support from the opposition on Friday. Nomsa Marchesi is the shadow education minister, and she has branded the proposals as a ‘progressive move’. However, the DA representative hasn’t been unwavering in her backing: Marchesi says there will now be a greater need to recruit teachers with specialist subject knowledge:
“The policy is a progressive move forward within the Basic Education Department as the new proposed subjects are relevant to the current economic and skill shortage climate. If implemented successfully, the subject areas will provide learners with skills that are needed to succeed in the economy and lead to job opportunities.”
“The challenge lies within the successful implementation of the policy. There is a need for teachers that specialise in subjects such as hospitality, agriculture, ancillary health care, civil technology, digital studies, and consumer studies – to name a few – but government needs to ensure it can source qualified teachers in these disciplines.”
But, before any sort of ‘skills revolution’ takes place within our schools, Minister Motshekga is still battling to get her own house in order. Earlier today, she confirmed that matric students would have to rewrite two papers they’ve already sat this exam season, after hundreds of students benefited from an unfortunate series of leaks:
“Having considered all of these factors, CEM [Council of Education Ministers] decided that a national rewrite of both Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Sciences Paper 2 is necessary. It was not an easy decision to take but one which is necessary under the circumstances. We need to work hard to deal with the human factor in the examination system.”
Minister Angie Motshekga