The potential role of secondary schools in skills development of local communities.
Theka, Samuel Moyahabo
Theka, Samuel Moyahabo
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Abstract
South Africa is faced with socio-economic challenges of poverty, inequalities, unemployment, health issues, drug abuse and many more. Stakeholders such as public, private sectors as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are trying to address some of these socio-economic challenges. For example, the public sector has initiated amongst other programs, the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) to create job opportunities specifically for semi-skilled and unskilled people. Private sector is also offering learnership opportunities to newly qualified students to gain work experience while NGOs have initiated various community-based programmes where community members are assisted to make a living and being cautioned about health and other issues through awareness campaigns. This study sought to address skills shortages that could reduce unemployment and further assist community members to make a living through starting their own businesses. The researcher identified secondary schools as one of the community resources that could be used to teach basic skills in the communities since they comprise both human and physical resources communities. This qualitative study was conducted with a focus on schoolteachers, teaching specific subjects and community development practitioners. The researcher chose to focus on teachers teaching specific school subjects, which have the potential to transfer theory taught in class into skills which could be taught to community members. From the findings, this study proposes community skills development programme as a tool to address the skills shortages. The findings also highlight benefits for community members such as employment which could reduce poverty, crime, and drug abuse. Further challenges such as funding and availability of facilitators are also found to be very prevalent. The study recommends a further exploration into how a skills development programme can be set up to meet the needs of the citizenry
Description
A mini dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Public Affairs in the Department of Public Management, Faculty of Humanities at Tshwane University of Technology Faculty of Humanities.
Date
2023-04-01
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Tshwane University of Technology
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Keywords
Community development, Communities, Skills, Development, Community schools