The South African learner has to be prepared to operate as an entrepreneur in the Fourth Industrial Revolution as the nature of work is changing; some of the current careers will become obsolete in the future. Entrepreneurship in schools will inspire and equip students to triumph over unemployment by starting their own projects and businesses. Young people must, from an early age, be encouraged to be problem-solvers.
During his presentation at the Lekgotla, Professor Johannes Lindner, Head of the Department and Centre of Entrepreneurship Education and value-based Business Education of the University Teacher College Vienna, mentioned that, “Entrepreneurship must be expanded vigorously across all subjects to ensure that activities are learner-centred and challenge-based. E-Learning and innovation skills will, through creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration, separate learners who are prepared for the complex life and work environments of the 21st Century, and those who are not”.
In her presentation on Global Competences and the Future of Curriculum, Dr Mmantsetsa Marope, Director for UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education mentioned that, “The curriculum has to be reconceptualised to reflect the relevance of education and learning systems, and has to be repositioned at the core of national and global development dialogue and interventions. In addition to the above, the curriculum has to be integrated into teaching, learning, assessment and the systemic environment as a competence-based curriculum for the 21st Century”.
The DBE will be incorporating the Sector Plan for Entrepreneurship Education in Schools: 2030 into the schooling system. The focus on Entrepreneurship Education is to develop innovative, independent learners who will become competent employers and employees.