Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) hosted an exhibition at the Tower Mall in Klerksdorp, North West Province, on 3 September 2026. The exhibition brought together Government Departments, schools and communities, creating a platform to showcase various government programmes, innovation and to celebrate the talent of South African learners.
Building up to the exhibition, a team from the DBE visited Keurhof School of Skills, a Pilot school for the Three Stream Model (TSM). The school provides essential pathways for learners with special educational needs. During the visit, Mr Duard Dulport, School Departmental Head for the boys centre and skills subjects, indicated that learners generally enrol at the school at around the age of thirteen, and spend four years developing practical, vocational and occupational skills with a weighting of 75% of the curriculum focusing on practical application and 25% on theoretical knowledge. This prepares learners for employability and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the principle of Education for Employability (E4E).
A tour of the school’s workshop brought learning to life, with learners receiving skills in Plumbing, Motor Mechanics, Carpentry and Welding. Mr Dulport further highlighted the stigma surrounding blue-collar work and schools that offer practical trades, noting that these careers are often viewed as less prestigious than white collar professions. He suggested that parents and communities should stop measuring success only through academic qualifications but ensure that learners have pathways that allow them to succeed according to their interests, abilities and strengths.
The tour was followed by a GCIS exhibition at the Tower Mall. Amongst the highlights of the exhibition were beautifully crafted products produced by learners from the Keurhof School of Skills. This offered visitors a glimpse into creativity, practical skills and potential of young people. It provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the TSM and Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST), including the diverse educational pathways available to learners, demonstrating that success in education extends beyond traditional academic subjects.
The exhibition also created an opportunity to engage directly with the community and create awareness about the different educational pathways available to learners. Discussions with community members revealed that there is still limited awareness of the vocational and occupational streams. This lack of understanding can contribute to heightened stigma and misconceptions about learners who choose alternative pathways. The exhibition provided an important opportunity to change perceptions and demonstrate the value of practical skills, creativity, vocational and occupational education. Seeing the actual products made by learners helped to bring the concept of alternative pathways to life.
The exhibition further provided opportunities for networking with sister government departments, and other stakeholders, opening possibilities for collaboration, market access, skills development and future opportunities for learners. GCIS officials were particularly impressed by the quality and creativity of the products on display. They expressed interest in visiting the school to profile learners and their products, providing an opportunity to showcase their talents to a wider audience. In essence, the exhibition was more than a display of products – it was a platform to challenge stigma, change perceptions and celebrate the potential of every learner. It reinforced the need to continue working collaboratively with other departments, creating awareness on government programmes and services.