The Minster of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga has announced that the Department of Basic Education is moving ahead with its plans to introduce a new school certificate for Grade 9 learners.
According to Motshega, the credential was initially expected to roll out to all schools in South Africa next year, however, the pilot will instead be expanded again that year, with the full rollout now planned for 2025.
“The piloting of the General Education Certificate is progressing, after the certificate was introduced at 270 schools across all nine provinces last year. In 2023, the pilot has increased to 1 000 schools,” Motshega said.
The minister said that the extended pilot period will provide the department with “further learnings” on how to strengthen the quality of the assessment tools used for the certificate, and how to better infuse these tools into school-based assessments and how to generate a holistic GEC report card for learners.
“The purpose of the GEC is to provide learners with expanded opportunities to display their capabilities on inquiry-based learning, solving real-world problems and designing practical solutions which will better prepare them for further education and training and the world of work.”
“The assessment instruments have been designed to integrate the learning of 21st-century skills within the scope of expected curriculum competencies,” she said.
In 2023, on top of the pilot extending to more schools, the number of participating schools will also represent schools of skill and all 75 education districts, with further up-scaling planned for 2024. In 2025, all schools are expected to participate in the GEC at the Grade 9 level.
Motshega added that the credential is not an exit point for learners from the school system. Instead, the certificate will provide better decision-making for learners, especially those who may shift focus to more technical subjects and trades instead of a singular focus on a college or university education.
“It allows for learners, after 10 years of schooling (Grade 9), to be recognised for their levels of curriculum attainment, general capabilities and talents,” she said.
SOURCE: BUSSINESSTECH
