Education

Unemployment, poverty and inequality have become the biggest challenges facing South Africa in a generation. Stefan Botha, CEO of education company Optimi (which is owned by PSG), gives insight into how private sector education companies are ready and willing to play a big role in boosting access to education in SA and addressing these massive challenges. 

Building the foundations for future academic success must start from when a child enters Grade 1, and the focus must be on cultivating a love of learning, an education expert says.

In South Africa, only 13% of graduates leaving tertiary institutions with qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are women.

Hundreds of thousands of people looking to upskill themselves every year in South Africa. The great thing is that there are so many options for people to choose from in South Africa. 

Before our first democratic elections, the South African clothing and garment industry was at an all-time high. As we were sanctioned from the rest of the world, for the right reasons, it meant that the industry was booming due to the lack of cheap imports flooding the market.

Across South Africa, thousands of successful matriculants are about to embark on a new and vital stage of their educational journey.  It’s widely recognised that gaining some kind of tertiary education enhances young people’s opportunities to find fulfilling work and meet their future career and life goals. 

ADvTECH, South Africa’s leading private education provider, says it supports government’s intentions to create the conditions to regulate and quality assure the establishment and maintenance of online schools in South Africa, and looks forward to working with relevant authorities to ensure measures introduced will lead to an improved and quality educational experience for all online students.

Education is strongly considered as one of the keys to unlocking and realising the potential of the proverbial tomorrow's adults in every country, South Africa is no different. In fact, the number of world-class tertiary institutions registered in South Africa is testament to the magnitude of its importance in society.

Following the release of the Matric results of 2021, countless young people will be faced with the need or desire to adjust their study plans for this year because they did not perform as expected, while many others will be faced with the happy news that their options have increased as a result of better-than-expected results - whether this be the eligibility to enrol for higher education, or enrol for a different qualification.

In another stellar performance from Curro Holdings, the JSE-listed independent education provider, its matric learners have come up trumps once again, recording an exceptional 99% pass rate for the 2021 academic year.

Academy Training Group (Pty) Ltd (ATG) was established in 1997 and serves as a private training institution. ATG have over 24 years of reputable experience in the Education and Training industry!

Amongst the close to 600 000 candidates who wrote matric in 2020, a meagre 5,3% scored 60% or more for maths. Given that the required pass rate is just 30% - something that only 125 526 candidates achieved – maths is in crisis as it is a gateway subject for higher education and career options which are vital for any country’s economic development and growth. It remains to be seen whether the 2021 results will be any better.

The disruptions caused by the global pandemic over the past two years have fundamentally shifted our views, and our appreciation for what we can achieve in the online environment, especially when it comes to education. 

The Gauteng province had the largest number of candidates writing this year, with a provincial increase of 17.55%. The Gauteng education department has created an innovative and yet convenient way for learners to access their NSC 2021 results.

Should you not meet the requirements for entry at a university, the Department of Higher Education and Training has Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges available for students to study at. 

As the new academic year commences in a matter of days, many prospective students at UNISA will worry about funding their tertiary education. Here’s some advice, returning students I hope that you’re listening too.

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As the festive season comes to an end, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme gets ready for the next academic year. The financial aid scheme has released a statement that it will open its doors in early January.

It's full steam ahead for leading South African NGO, PROTEC, as it prepares to launch GE's inaugural Next Engineers – a global further education readiness programme– to the first cohort of 750 high school students across Johannesburg in early 2022, in a mission to inspire the next generation of engineers: the innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders of tomorrow.

College students are often under the impression that they’ll get a well-paying job as soon as they graduate from college. Unfortunately, with South Africa’s current unemployment rate, finding a job that soon after completing their studies remains a pipe dream for most. Some graduates are fortunate enough to find work in their field of interest soon after graduation, while others spend months looking for work; some are even willing to accept an unpaid internship to gain experience.