How SA’s education system is failing its students
Shaun Fuchs from Centennial Schools, believes that South Africa’s education system is stuck in the past and failing to prepare students for the workforce. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, Fuchs argues that the education system must adapt to meet the needs of the 21st century.
Shaun Fuchs, founder and CEO of Centennial Schools in Sunninghill, believes that South Africa’s education system is still stuck in the past, with classrooms remaining largely unchanged since the 1920s.
He said this stagnation is hindering economic mobility and leaving students unready to enter the working world. In contrast, the world has undergone significant transformations, with technological advancements revolutionizing communication, healthcare, and commerce.
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“Our current education system still relies on an outdated curriculum and a matriculation exam that leaves students ill-prepared for the workforce. Meanwhile, in the past 12 years, 5G, voice recognition, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and social media have revolutionised how we communicate, manage our health, and consume content. These advancements have transformed what we produce, how we shop, and how we pay for goods and services.”
The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs report reveals that 86% of businesses believe adopting new and emerging technologies will have the most significant impact on the employment market.
“We are at a breaking point where change is imperative; the pace of technological advancement is accelerating, yet our education system remains rooted in an industrial revolution-era mindset.
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“We rely on outdated teaching methods, lack personalisation, face a significant skills gap, and maintain a rigid, innovation-resistant structure. With the second-highest youth unemployment rate in the world, our children are increasingly alienated and disengaged from a school system that does not reflect their current or future realities.”
This is why Fuchs believes that it is crucial to involve students as key stakeholders in decisions about schools and teaching methods. He said this is because this generation is the most tech-savvy, digitally informed group, “we’ve ever had, and we can no longer afford for our education system to ignore that.
“Technology offers a way to address these issues – not by simply providing every child with a laptop or tablet, but by recognising that technology is essential to disrupting the education system.
“By investing in tangible, relevant subjects, we are preparing our students for life. An organisation that adapts quickly to new environments will be the one that survives and thrives. This is precisely what our education system needs to ensure that our children can thrive and survive in the second quarter of the 21st century.”
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