The Three Stream Model (TSM) continues to transform South Africa’s education landscape by creating multiple pathways such as the Academic, Vocational and Occupational streams. These pathways provide learners with greater choices during their schooling journey by ensuring alignment to learner interests, capabilities, aptitudes, and career aspirations.
As part of the ongoing effort to support the implementation of the TSM, DBE officials recently visited the Bellville Technical High School and the Westcliff School of Skills for learners with special needs (the school offers woodwork, welding, hairdressing, food production and Early Childhood Development). The two schools focus primarily on the vocational and occupational streams. The programmes offered are designed to equip learners with hands-on capabilities that enhance employability and promote independence after completing schooling.
Mr Jeremy Zoutman, the Principal of Belville Technical High School, lauded the Western Cape Education Department’s noteworthy initiative, the Revitalization Project, which is investing nearly R19 million in the school to improve infrastructure and equipment. The visits provided an opportunity to witness the TSM in action via firsthand innovation, skills development, and nurturing of talent. According to the officials, the visit validated the notion that all learners can succeed when given an opportunity to choose a pathway that matches their abilities and talents.
A TSM exhibition, which was initially presented as a showcase of learner-produced work from the two schools, also made its way to Parliament during the recent Budget Vote Debates. What began as a display of learner products sparked discussions on the importance of strengthening skills development through diverse pathways at Parliamentary level.
Mr Malesela Frans Mokwele, representing the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, engaged Parliament in the National Council of Provinces at length on the TSM, emphasizing that the TSM plays a pivotal role towards skills development and employability. He further noted that “it is for this reason that we encourage the DBE to scale up the TSM to enhance multiple pathways that will direct learners”. He highlighted a concern, that whilst learners gain industry-ready skills, practical subjects and certificates are not recognized by Umalusi and the South African Qualifications Authority, urging the Minister of Basic Education to urgently address the accreditation of practical subjects and the General Education Certificate (GEC) issue. He added that the Minister was moving in the right direction in supporting the implementation of the TSM.
The Minister responded that all efforts will be made to ensure that the GEC issue is resolved by the end of the financial year. She reiterated that Schools of Skills must offer real opportunities for learners to transition into the world of work: “If we are going to tackle the very stubborn problem of unemployment in South Africa, then we too must do our bit”.