Experts question impact of new Grade 9 certificate on education
An education activist has warned that the Department of Basic Education’s piloting a new general education certificate will not solve the country’s unemployment crisis.
The department earlier announced its plan to pilot the introduction of the certificate before its full launch in 2025.
The GEC is a standardised qualification for pupils completing Grade 9, which will give any school leavers a “qualification” to either find a job or pursue a different stream of schooling.
The department believes the certificate will better prepare pupils for the working world.
“This is not the correct move because the high levels of unemployment already include even those with matric certificates, and we don’t think a Grade 9 certificate will help learners as far as job prospects are concerned,” says education activist Hendrick Makaneta.
“We want a situation where all learners will aspire to complete a matric certificate because it has the potential to open a wide range of doors, and a Grade 9 certificate will not be able to assist in that regard.
Meanwhile, education expert Mary Metcalfe said the GEC will ensure pupils at least have tangible proof of completing the compulsory level of education.
“Bringing compulsory education to 10 years is in line with the norm in the world. There are many advantages to introducing the general education certificate (GEC); firstly, everybody knows that the senior certificate drives attention to the education system and its performance. So, I am hoping that the GEC at the end of Grade 9 will have the same effect in that schools, the education department and the public will be conscious of achievement and areas of improvement in the first 10 years.
“I think it’s incorrect to see it as an exit qualification but rather to see it as the first step in the national qualification framework and this is the level 1 qualification in the NQF.
“It will ensure that learners who do not proceed with education and training have a certificate for building on general education at some point in the future. As we know, as many as 40% of learners are currently dropping out after Grade 9.
According to StatsSA, the country’s official unemployment rate currently stands at 32.1%.
