The DBE has established an external Transversal Task Team (TTT), consisting of the DBE and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and relevant stakeholders to develop a regulatory framework and a national Articulation Policy for the Three Stream Model (TSM). The technical working group (TWG) on Articulation, a constituent part of the task team, met for the second time on 15 May 2025 at Irene Farm in Centurion, to further engage and share data-driven insights.

The establishment of the TTT is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the coherence, efficiency and quality of the education and skills development sectors. The key objectives of the task team are to facilitate the seamless transition of learners from secondary education to Post-School Education and Training (PSET) pathways, the world of work and to streamline the various curricula to guide the different phases of learning. The TSM curriculum acknowledges multiple learning pathways within the academic, vocational and occupational streams of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) to refocus and strengthen basic education as a foundation for a unified, integrated education and training system, in alignment with the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP), 2030.

The TSM curriculum provides choices for learners according to their capabilities and inclinations, thus minimising the high dropout and low throughput levels, offering multiple learning pathways. The TSM curriculum is designed to support different career goals and learning abilities, whilst improving the quality and accessibility of education. These tailored qualifications are also aligned with the needs of today’s job market, helping to tackle some of the key education challenges that fuel South Africa’s high unemployment rate. In the context of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, it is significantly easier to resource and support academic pathways than technical ones. Addressing this imbalance requires meaningful collaboration between industry stakeholders and those with the political will to drive systemic change. Only through such partnerships technical education can receive the investment, infrastructure and recognition it deserves.

Mr Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director for MST and Curriculum Enhancement Programmes, emphasised the importance of aligning education with future workforce needs: “We need an education system that not only prepares young people for employment, but also supports job creation and entrepreneurship. This means building a more flexible, streamlined system that allows learners to move easily between school, training and work. At the same time, we must actively promote STEM subjects to reverse declining participation rates and ensure our youth are equipped for the careers of the future”.

Ms Cheryl Weston, Acting Chief Director for Curriculum Implementation and Monitoring (CIM), presented a report and recommendations from the previous workshop that took place from 9 to 10 April 2025. She reflected on the DBE’s role in the TSM space and posed a critical question: “How do we ensure that the education environment we are shaping does not continue to reflect past inequalities, or the accessibility challenges we still face today?” The establishment of the TTT is expected to yield several outcomes such as: enhanced alignment of programmes and qualifications with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF); improved educational outcomes and employability with the TSM; and more efficient use of resources through the elimination of programme duplication. By achieving its goals, the TTT will significantly improve the quality of education and skills development, creating lasting benefits for both learners and educators. Ultimately, the TSM, through the work of the TTT, aims to establish a clear national framework and policy for curriculum articulation. It is designed to create a more inclusive, coherent and practical education system that prepares learners for the real-world challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century. The TWG of the TTT will convene again on 18 June 2025 for the final engagement where the recommendations on the policy and framework on articulation will be finalised.