Education Expert Questions the Value of Department of Basic Education’s Proposed Grade 9 Certificate

• An education expert expressed doubt about the value of the Grade 9 certificate that the Department of Basic Education wants to implement
• The Department revealed that the purpose of the certificate is to determine which skills learners display during their Grade 9 years that the Department can focus on building for the rest of their schooling years
• The expert does not believe that the certificate is viable, and many South Africans weighed in on the matter

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, corruption, education, service delivery protests and heritage in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

JOHANNESBURG – An education expert side-eyed the Grade 9 certificate the Department of Basic Education is expected to introduce. She doubts it will achieve what the Department said it should when implemented.

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Expert criticises Grade 9 certificate

According to SABC News, the expert said implementing the certificate is costly, and she sees no value it could add. She pointed out that the labour market struggles to absorb workers with matric certificates.

South Africans had different views

Below are some of the opinions netizens on Facebook shared about the certificate.

Andey Slayde said:

"University and college graduates cannot be gainfully employed in South Africa. Not sure what they think a mere grade 9 certificate will do in securing employment. Beyond laughable."

Brilliant kaMnyamande said:

"The matter is not about getting employment, but it will provide an option to those who want to pursue technical schooling."

Dhonga Dilika slammed the expert.

"Nonsense. With that grade 9 certificate, I will apply at FET college, acquire a skill and by the time others are doing grade 12, I will be equipped with much-needed skills to join the artisan world."

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Azania Nozwelethu Mzalwana opposed the certificate.

"I don't know how they could sit down and sign off on this. I mean, it's tough outside with a grade 12 certificate."

Nkosinathi Hlathswayo said:

"The ANC failed to change apartheid policies, and that's why black South Africans don't benefit from the economy."

Educor colleges deregistered

Similarly, Briefly News reported that Educor colleges have been deregistered.

These include Damelin, City Varsity, Lyceum, and Icesa City, which have been given until October of this year to appeal the decision.

The Department of Higher Education deregistered it for failing to comply and submit its financial records for two years.

Source: Briefly News