The Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training are finalising a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening alignment between the school and post-school systems.
This is particularly around subject-choice guidance, learner preparedness and smoother transitions into post-school Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes.
Briefing the media on the state of the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector and readiness for the 2026 academic year on Thursday, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela said a major structural constraint confronting the system is the weakening STEM pipeline.
He said current trends show growing enrolment in Mathematical Literacy instead of pure Mathematics, stagnant performance in Mathematics and Accounting, and limited growth in Physical Sciences.
As a result, learners are excluded from high-demand programmes in engineering, health sciences, information and communications technology (ICT), data science and advanced manufacturing—not due to institutional failure, but because of inadequate subject-level preparation.
“This weakens our national skills base and limits the system’s responsiveness to industrialisation, innovation, and economic growth,” Manamela said.
He emphasised that the MoU is not a short-term solution but a “medium- to long-term structural intervention” to address systemic challenges.
Managing the gap between passes and pathways
Manamela said the department is strengthening coordinated enrolment planning across the PSET system, guided by matric trends and labour-market intelligence.
He said rising matric pass rates reinforce the need to move beyond a university-centric approach to post-school education.
“South Africa’s PSET system was deliberately designed to be differentiated with universities, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, occupational qualifications, skills programmes, and workplace-based learning all forming part of a single ecosystem,” the Minister said.
Manamela said the newly established Just Energy Transition Skills Desk will play a critical role in linking learner demand with priority economic sectors, including renewable energy, construction, grid infrastructure and electric mobility.
Given infrastructure and staffing constraints, the department will increasingly prioritise short courses and modular qualifications, scalable occupational programmes, and workplace-based learning such as apprenticeships, learnerships and internships.
“These pathways offer faster labour-market entry while allowing articulation into further learning,” he said.
The Minister reiterated that TVET and CET colleges are not residual options but “central pillars of the PSET system”.
“They provide practical, accessible, and work-relevant education to the majority of South Africans and are essential to confronting unemployment, inequality and poverty,” he said.
Through these institutions, students can progress into artisan and trade qualifications, occupational qualifications at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 3 to 6, sector-linked skills programmes, employment or self-employment, entrepreneurship, and further learning opportunities.
Manamela said the department is strengthening TVET colleges as sector-focused skills hubs through Centres of Specialisation, Trade Test Centres, modernised workshops and industry-aligned curricula.
He highlighted that the National Skills Fund (NSF) is funding the uMasinga TVET Smart Campus pilot at a cost exceeding R350 million, with completion expected by 2027.
“The project signals the direction we must take: modern, digitally enabled, future-ready institutions.”
Readiness for the 2026 academic year
Manamela said institutions across the PSET sector have undertaken extensive preparations for the 2026 academic year.
“This morning, the Ministerial War Room convened to assess readiness. We are confident of a stable opening of the academic year, with ongoing monitoring,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of student well-being, encouraging the use of Higher Health to address mental health challenges.
“Higher Health remains the designated wrap-around support institution, operating a 24-hour Toll-Free Crisis Helpline (0800 36 36 36). Over 61 000 students have been supported through this service in recent years,” Manamela said.
The department is also strengthening sector-wide responses to mental health, gender-based violence, food insecurity, accommodation and campus safety through national norms, preventative interventions and coordinated protocols.
The Minister urged students to rely on official departmental websites, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and institutional platforms for accurate information.
He further warned prospective students to beware of illegally operating private colleges and institutions offering unaccredited programmes.
“The department has a database of all registered colleges available on the website of the department. To first time entrants, only go to campus when it has confirmed acceptance of an application and accommodation has been confirmed,” the Minister reiterated. – SAnews.gov.za
