The Durban University of Technology (DUT) school of education recently hosted a one-week career expo for Grade 9-12 learners where they visited the Ugu, Umlazi, King Cetshwayo and Pinetown District.
The schools that were visited include Nkosi Umdibaniso School, Kwafica High School, KwaMakutha High School, Ogwini Comprehensive School, Chesterville Secondary School, Inanda Newtown High School, Welabasha High School, Dlangezwa High School and Thulokuhle High Schools.
The DUT School of Education Programme Coordinator and lecturer: Mr Cephas Makwara gave an overview about the DUT School of Education department, and focused on the four specialisations namely Languages, Economics and Management Sciences, Natural Sciences and Technology.
“I would like to emphasize the importance of applying for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and Funza Lushaka bursary. Learners must also familiarise themselves on how to apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) because having a CAO number makes it easier for the institution to track on their application,” he said.
DUT School of Education lecturer: Dr Sibusiso Sotsaka, shared valuable information on how to apply for a Bachelor of Education Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Technology and he elaborated on different streams within Technology specialisation.
“It is very crucial for learners to read, understand requirements and start with their first preferences before filling in the CAO application form. Learners should also research on the career choices offered in order to make the right decisions.,” said Dr Sotsaka.
DUT School of Education: Dr Albert Maeko, in his presentation gave a brief overview of the technical education training programmes and presented the Department of Basic Education (DBA) trajectory to introduce Technical and Vocational Subjects in 60% of the schools in the country from Grade 8 which means there is going to be a huge demand for technical teachers.
“I want learners to know that not all pre-service teachers are going to become teachers but they can use their knowledge and be future entrepreneurs from the skills exposure within the university’s technical education training where students discover their potential and then linked with the DUT innobiz centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for further training,” he elaborated.
During the interaction with some of the school’s principals they revealed their frustration with the DBE as most schools offering technical subjects are under resourced. They explained that the schools do not have enough resources for learners to conduct Practical Assessment Tasks (PAT) which is a cornerstone for technical subjects.
Moreover, it also emerged that some learners who took Technical Mathematics and Technical Sciences as their subject choices in the technical stream were not accepted by some Higher Education Institutions which leads to their failure to access institutions of higher learning despite passing Grade 12 very well. Another sore issue pointed to subjects/curriculum articulation disconnection and the need for the two parallel education systems (Higher Education and the DBE) to convene roundtable discussion to address as a matter of urgency.
The presentations concluded with a question and answers session, and some of the learners expressed their words of gratitude to be offered the opportunity to gain such educational information.
Pictured: DUT staff members and the Chesterville High School learners at the Career Expo.
Photography: Vusi Dlamini
Zanele Mashaba
