The Department of Basic Education (DBE) will introduce new and additional subjects in schools with a view of catering to equip learners for future job opportunities. These subjects will be introduced by 2025 and will be taught from Grade 10.
Some of these new subjects are technical mathematics, technical Sciences, maritime studies, aviation studies, mining science, civil technology, digital technology and aquaponics.
Elijah Mhlanga says it's important for parents to support their children who choose to undertake these new subjects. Mhlanga is the Chief Director of Communications and Media at the DBE.
He explained that education is evolving along with the subjects offered at schools. It's therefore important that parents understand that the subjects that will be taught at schools will differ from those taught when they were school learners.
They advised parents who are unsure about the subjects learners want to study, to visit the school and ask for more information about the subjects. This includes the careers these subjects may lead to.
The education system as a whole from basic to higher education is at the moment working to prepare the youth for the future world of work that's very important things have changed there are many careers today that were not there yesterday
The new subjects will be grouped in three streams namely academic, vocational and an occupational stream. The main differences between the three streams are the amount of practical and theoretical work learners will be required to complete.
In the academic stream, practical learning is minimal while in the vocational stream learners would split their time gaining theoretical and practical knowledge equally. The occupational stream will see learners participate in practical learning 75% of the time while the remaining 25% will focus on theory.
Learners who choose to enter the occupational stream will be required to participate in work-placed learning which requires them to be supervised by professionals in their chosen industry.
