Abstract
In spite of constitutional guarantees, ambitious policy promises, some initial enthusiasm for adult basic education and a well-run literacy campaign, South Africa has signally failed to construct a viable and vibrant adult and community education system that would parallel or enhance not only existing schooling, but also technical and vocational education systems. This article considers the current state of adult and community education and of technical and vocational education and training; in addition, it assesses the relevant recommendations in the Report of the commission of inquiry into higher education and training released in late 2017. Finally, it evaluates the extent to which the commission’s recommendations correspond to the reality and also to what is required for South Africa’s post-school offerings in the future.
Highlights
The reconstitution of post-school education and training in the post-apartheid, post-1994 period is characterised by the following broad features: First, in general, the attempted massification of higher education where the number of university students has gradually swelled, though throughput has remained poor; mergers between and the rationalisation of universities; and a creeping managerialism.Secondly, the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector witnessed mergers among the former technical colleges known as TVET colleges
The technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector witnessed mergers among the former technical colleges known as TVET colleges
The 2013 White Paper on post-school education and training contained a series of proposals on new institutions – the so-called ‘community colleges’ (DHET, 2013a:20–24)
Summary
In spite of constitutional guarantees, ambitious policy promises, some initial enthusiasm for adult basic education and a well-run literacy campaign, South Africa has signally failed to construct a viable and vibrant adult and community education system that would parallel or enhance existing schooling, and technical and vocational education systems. This article considers the current state of adult and community education and of technical and vocational education and training; in addition, it assesses the relevant recommendations in the Report of the commission of inquiry into higher education and training released in late 2017. It evaluates the extent to which the commission’s recommendations correspond to the reality and to what is required for South Africa’s post-school offerings in the future. KEYWORDS adult education; community education; TVET; higher education and training.
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