Deputy Chairperson, Deputy Minister, members and guests, the mission of the Department of Higher Education and Training says it very clearly, and I quote:
To develop capable, well-educated and skilled citizens that are able to compete in a sustainable, diversified and knowledge-intensive international economy, which meets the developmental goals of our country.
Another fact of life is that education awakens the mind and increases expectations, aspirations and ambitions; which, in turn, increases public pressure on government. All these go parallel with economic growth and sustainability.
Quality higher education depends very much on the quality of education in primary and secondary schooling. One of the problems in pretertiary education is the high drop-out rate of learners before reaching Grade 10. Many different reasons can be identified, but we must pinpoint the main causes of this and address them.
Approximately three million young people between 18 and 24 years of age are not employed or in education and training programmes. This is a huge waste of human capital. It creates more poverty and the possibility of instability in communities. This is a worrying situation and we must ensure that we keep our youth in our educational institutions and systems. It is true that without growing the economy and job opportunities, a well- educated population will not escape the scourge of unemployment. We must focus on skills development.
Of much concern is the fifth programme of the department - Skills Development - which aims to adhere precisely this objective. The budget of R128,2 million allocated to this programme is lower than last year. The department says that R30,8 million is due to cost-saving measures and includes reducing government's contribution to the National Skills Fund. The department must state clearly and openly why this decrease is necessary, and whether it will not negatively influence the growth of skills development.
The coherence between FET colleges and universities must be broadened and sharpened up. The staff of FET colleges must not only have occupational qualifications, but also pedagogical training capacity. It is just here where our universities can play a vital role. Another problem is the lack of articulation for students between FET colleges and universities. Students find it difficult to move on to university when they have completed their studies at the FET colleges.
Students completing their studies at technical colleges find it very difficult to find opportunities to gain practical workplace experience. The department also aims to improve the pass rate of trade test students to 45%, but it is quiet about what they will do to improve the opportunities for these students, especially in the public sector. Government must play a bigger role in working together with employer institutions to create these opportunities.
Quality teachers and educators play a vital role in quality outcome education. Our public image of the teaching profession and teaching morale is a huge obstacle. It is difficult to retain and recruit teachers. The difficulties teachers experience in maintaining to proper discipline in schools are just one factor which leads to the negativity associated with this profession.
Learners experience this daily and tell themselves not to become a teacher. This we must address if we want to increase the number of student teachers. It is not only the money and benefits which attract people to a profession, but also satisfaction, respect and control in their work experience.
It is a very good thing to increase loan opportunities for students to study. Statistics are telling us that 29% of students dropped out during their first year of study for different reasons. One drop-out is too many and we must ensure that students who are allowed into our further educational institutions have the ability and capacity to absorb the content of their courses.
Those who need the support must be provided with the opportunity to have intensive support courses offered to them by good quality and dedicated lecturers who understand the challenges which are a result of incapacity among ability by the students. Only then will we have success in decreasing the number of drop-outs in universities and colleges.
The department of education must develop strategies to tackle all these challenges. An integral, co-ordinated pre- and post-school system, planned in the light of the needs of students, the economy, job creation and quality of education is paramount to improve the quality of our people and citizens. I thank you. [Applause.]