Education

Question by: 
Hon Deidré Baartman
Answered by: 
Hon David Maynier
Question Number: 
1
Question Body: 

With respect to the arts, agriculture, and computational skills component of the STEAMAC strategy:

(1) Given that the mainstream academic curriculum is not suited to all learners, including the focus on STEAMAC, what is the Department doing to expand learning opportunities for these learners, so they are not excluded.

(2) whether his Department has seen an increase in the number of schools offering agriculture or arts subjects in recent years; if so, what are the relevant details?

Answer Body: 

[1] Ensuring that learners have access to schools where they can develop technical and occupational skills is a priority for our Department. There are many learners that don’t necessarily thrive off a purely academic curriculum. These learners have other skills, which can be further developed, and can also cater to the demands of the province.

These learners deserve the hope and dignity that comes from being able to apply their skills in the economy and play a meaningful role in its development.

We have 25 Schools of Skills in our province and two public ordinary schools that have a School of Skills stream.

The following subjects are being offered as an Implemented curriculum in the School of Skills:

  1. Agricultural Studies
  2. Arts and Crafts
  3. Office Administration
  4. Early Childhood Development
  5. Mechanical Technology: Motor Mechanics
  6. Mechanical Technology: Body Works/Panel Beating and/or Spray Painting
  7. Mechanical Technology: Welding
  8. Mechanical Technology: Sheet metal work
  9. Electrical Technology: Electrical
  10. Service/Civil Technology: Woodworking and Timber
  11. Personal Care: Hairdressing
  12. Personal Care: Beauty and Nail Technology
  13. Personal Care: Ancillary Health Care
  14. Service Technology: Upholstery
  15. Service Technology: Maintenance
  16. Consumer Studies: Food Production
  17. Consumer Studies: Needlework
  18. Civil Technology: Bricklaying and Plastering
  19. Civil Technology: Plumbing
  20. Wholesale and Retail
  21. Hospitality Studies

A pilot project offering Grade 8 and 9 skills subjects in 23 selected public ordinary high schools was started in 2021. The subjects piloted within the draft curriculum are as follows:

  1. Agricultural Studies 
  2. Art and Design 
  3. Civil Technology: Woodworking 
  4. Civil Technology: Construction 
  5. Civil Technology: Civil Services 
  6. Mechanical Technology 
  7. Electrical Technology 
  8. Digital Technology 
  9. Consumer Studies 
  10. Hospitality Studies 
  11. Wholesale and Retail Studies  

The subjects been offered in the technical Schools [Part of STEAMAC]:

  1. Civil Technology: Construction/Woodworking and Civil Services [x3 Subjects]
  2. Mechanical Technology: Automotive/Fitting and Machining and Welding and Metalwork [x3 Subjects]
  3. Electrical Technology: Power Systems/Electronics and Digital Systems [x3 Subjects]

[2]   Yes. 20 additional schools have introduced agricultural subjects since 2017, and we continue to make investments in infrastructure to support this [as outlined in the education budget speech earlier this year].

10 additional schools have introduced Arts subjects since 2018, including 6 schools offering Dramatic Arts, 2 offering Dance Studies, and 2 offering Visual Arts. We must not neglect this very important part of the STEAMAC strategy, as Arts subjects teach our learners the transferable skills they will need in the future provincial and national economy. It must, however, be noted that there is a skills shortage of qualified specialists in some of these subjects like Dance and Agricultural subjects.

 

Subject

Total Schools

Gr 10-12 Learner Numbers

Agricultural Technology

27

2 412

Agricultural Management Practices

23

2 012

Music

85

1 599

Visual Arts

87

1 541

Design

62

2 505

Dance

18

1 480

Dramatic Arts

20

2 978

 

Date: 
Friday, May 27, 2022
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