Madam Deputy Speaker, we, as the ANC, welcome the proposed amendments to the Bill in totality, especially the repeal of the Adult Basic Education and Training Act of 2000. We also welcome the inclusion of the community education and training colleges. It should be clearly noted that the repeal does not mean that adult education has no role in our country - not at all.
Though the statistics show that there is an improvement in the literacy rate, there are areas where the illiteracy rate is still very high, especially amongst the adults in our country.
In addition, the study published by Cloete in 2009 revealed that in 2007 there were more than 2,8 million people of between the ages of 18 and 24 who were not employed, who were not in some form of education or training, and who were not severely disabled. Of this number, over 500 000 had primary education, over 508 000 had secondary education that was under Grade 10 and almost a million had Grade 8 or more, but had Grade 12.
So, as a country, what is it that we are learning from this? This tells us that we need to broaden the provision of adult education in order to create educational opportunities for these segments of the population with different needs.
The Adult Basic Education and Training Act, Abet Act, of 2000, as it is in its current form right now, is very limiting and restricting in regard to the provision of Abet education, because it ends at National Qualifications Framework Level 1, which is equivalent to Grade 9. We all know and agree that in our country, when we talk about the Adult Basic Education and Training, Abet, institutions, we realise that they have been found wanting and have been treated almost like stepchildren in our education system. Hence we have these amendments to the Bill to take care of such things. The Abet Act does not cater for those with qualifications above Grade 9, but who have not completed Grade 12, or those who have failed Grade 12 and need to repeat it.
During the public hearings, stakeholders such as the SA Women in Co- operatives and the SA National Co-operatives proposed the inclusion of an academy or an institution in the proposed community college model that would provide skills training to sustain the co-operatives. This was a clear indication that people yearned for a different sector that would provide for nonformal, informal and formal education and training.
We, as the ANC, believe then that the conversion of the public adult learning centres into Community Education and Training colleges is a good move, which will broaden the scope of the provision of education and training for all the citizens of our country. We hope that this will, among other things, continue towards addressing the new challenges that our country is facing.
Hon members, our country is facing a "youth bulge" phenomenon. Economists have argued that the growing youth population could be an important demographic dividend if they are equipped with the right employable and self-employable skills. However, the demographic dividend will happen only if the economically active people are engaged through education, training and employment.
The National Development Plan: Vision for 2030 is acknowledging that South Africa has failed to reap this demographic dividend by harnessing the potential of the proportionately large cohorts of working-age youth. We have failed because a large cohort of the young people have a low level of education, that is, below Grade 12, and they are neither employed nor in education and training.
The department has proposed the National Senior Certificate for Adults of the age of 18 and beyond. Research studies show that a significant number of learners are dropping out of the schooling system after Grade 9, which is the last grade of compulsory education. This group of dropouts include those who drop out between Grades 10 and 11, and are not catered for in the current adult education provision. The only alternative for them is the FET colleges. We are saying that is not enough. We need to open more alternatives for such people; hence, we are supporting such amendments to the Bill.
While the Department of Education has closed down the finishing schools, it has not, however, provided an alternative for those who failed Grade 12 to repeat the grade on a full-time basis, except for writing the supplementary examinations. It is because of the lack of alternatives that South Africa is faced with these challenges.
I need to caution all of us that if these young people are not provided for, they will find themselves on the road to nowhere. And the danger thereof is that the "youth bulge" will become a demographic bomb, because a large number of frustrated youth are likely to become a potential source of social and political instability.
It is against this background that the repeal of the Adult Basic Education and Training Act of 2000 is justifiable, and it will pave the way for the broadening of adult education and training through Community Education and Training colleges, and continuing education and training.
Thus, while we respect the position of the DA, who are rejecting the Bill in its totality and not supporting it, we, as the ANC, will approve the Bill, because it is a step in the right direction in improving the socioeconomic status of South African citizens.
So, to me it shows clearly that if the DA cannot support such a Bill that is going to create so many ... [Interjections.] I am coming to them, member. So, to me, if we hear the DA claiming that it is taking care of the people out there in our country, but we find it rejecting such a progressive Bill that is going to take care of all those people that are not employed and are lacking skills in our country, it really leaves much to be desired. One asks oneself which people the DA is taking care of!
I think Cope was also a little bit confused, because hon Bhanga came here and talked more about the higher institutions, the universities. We are still coming to that Bill, Mr Bhanga! However, it is fine to be proactive and ahead of things! I understand, as he was not even part of the deliberations on this Bill when it was discussed in the committee, but he will learn some other time. [Applause.]
Hon Mpontshane, thank you very much. We know the way you have been active in the committee. We know the support that you have given, and that you have the interests of the people of the country at heart. That is why we have seen in you such a progressive manner of agreeing with and supporting the Bill. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. [Applause.]