Grade 12 learners around South Africa are currently participating in the 2022 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. For many, this will be their final school exams before they enter the job market or pursue tertiary education studies.
Learners are being encouraged to do their research before deciding on a career path. This as many learners choose to pursue qualifications that may not be relevant to the future job market which could reduce their chances of securing employment.
Education Expert Dr Richard Lehasa Moloi believes that the country's education system is performing badly. Moloi believes this is the case because the job market in the fourth revolution requires specific skills, raising the question of whether these skills were being adequately provided to learners at schools.
“One of the critical issues which raises the question of what fundamentally could be or are roles of the universities, are they directly in terms of the course offerings linked to the market because you don't want to have a case which is called a diploma disease” said Moloi.
Moloi explains that the term “diploma disease” refers to individuals who are highly qualified in terms of the qualifications they have, however they are not sought after in the job market.
This could occur when students choose an area of study they will be lost in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and future industries.
“It may be important before they commit the funds of their parents that they deeply reflect on the content that I'm going to study reflective of the market needs,” explained Moloi.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in many companies recalibrating how they do business. Moloi questions whether institutions of higher education have also recalibrated their curriculum so that students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in these recalibrated industries.
