Deputy Minister Manamela Says Online Teaching Can Boost TVET Student Numbers

Deputy Minister Manamela Says Online Teaching Can Boost TVET Student Numbers. In a strategic push to enhance the accessibility and reach of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in South Africa, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, highlighted the critical role of online teaching during his address at the Huawei ICT Academy Annual Instructor Summit. The event, held in Woodmead, provided a platform for discussing innovative solutions to the challenges facing the TVET sector, particularly the need to increase student enrollment to meet national targets.
The Urgent Need To Increase TVET Enrollment
South Africa has set an ambitious goal of enrolling 2.6 million students in TVET colleges by 2030. However, Deputy Minister Manamela expressed concerns that the country is at risk of falling short of this target. He pointed out that while the TVET sector aimed to attract 600,000 students in 2024, it only managed to enroll 500,000. This shortfall underscores the need for swift and effective interventions to increase student numbers.
“We need alternative, cheaper, impactful forms of delivering TVET-related programs. The same applies to our community colleges. Education delivered using ICT tools and solutions will make a dent for the nearly four million young people not in an education institution and getting the necessary skills,” said Deputy Minister Manamela.
The Role Of ICT In Expanding TVET Access
Addressing the challenge of increasing enrollment, Deputy Minister Manamela emphasized the potential of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in transforming the educational landscape. By leveraging partnerships with ICT companies, TVET institutions can create dynamic online learning platforms. These platforms would allow students to access quality education from their devices, reducing the need for physical attendance in classrooms.
“We need to collaborate to ensure we deliver education to the gadget,” Manamela stated, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to bring education directly to students. This approach not only addresses the issue of accessibility but also aligns with the broader goal of reducing unemployment and stimulating the SMME sector.
The Impact Of Unemployment On The Youth
The urgency of these educational reforms is further highlighted by the alarming unemployment statistics in South Africa. In August, Statistics South Africa reported that the country’s official unemployment rate rose from 32.9% in the first quarter of the year to 33.5% in the second quarter. This increase is particularly concerning among young people, with 3.6 million (35.2%) out of 10.3 million young people aged 15 to 24 years not in employment, education, or training.
By expanding access to education through online platforms, the TVET sector can play a crucial role in equipping young people with the skills they need to enter the workforce and contribute to the economy.
Huawei Contribution To ICT Education
The summit also highlighted the significant contributions of the Huawei ICT Academy in supporting the growth of ICT skills in South Africa. The program, which collaborates with universities and TVET colleges, aims to train, develop, and certify some of the best ICT talents across the country.
Huawei Chief Executive Will Meng spoke about the rapid growth of the ICT sector in South Africa, emphasizing the importance of preparing a skilled workforce to meet future demands. “The 4IR conversation has been occurring for years in South Africa… All these changes will require more qualified personnel to meet the growing demands of the ICT industry,” Meng said.
Bridging The ICT Skills Gap
To bridge the gap between the demands of the ICT industry and the supply of skilled professionals from higher education institutions, Huawei has established the Huawei ICT Academy program. This initiative brings together industry and academia to develop a talent pool that meets the needs of the modern economy.
The program offers courses, instructor training, and learning resources to universities, enabling students to gain ICT competencies, practical experience, career certifications, and job opportunities. Globally, the program has established over 2,600 academies, certified more than 11,000 instructors, and trained over 200,000 students annually.
In South Africa, the program has partnered with 76 institutions in the higher education sector. By July 2024, more than 300 instructors had participated in the training program, and over 270 students had engaged in Huawei training programs.
Looking Ahead: The Future Of ICT Education In South Africa
Huawei’s commitment to building ICT skills extends beyond training. The company plans to host a job fair in 2024 to connect ICT graduates with employment opportunities within its network of partners. This initiative aims to ensure that the skills acquired by students are directly linked to job placements, further supporting the growth of the ICT sector in South Africa.
“In South Africa, Huawei has positive relationships with various institutions. We aim to maintain positive relationships with the various institutions we have partnered with and have an even higher-quality skills transfer process for lecturers and students; our learning environments will become more and more immersive in every institute,” Meng stated.
Conclusion
As South Africa navigates the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the role of education in preparing the workforce of the future cannot be overstated. The integration of ICT into the TVET sector, as advocated by Deputy Minister Manamela, represents a critical step towards achieving the country’s educational and economic goals.