Dep Minister rolls out apply now campaign
"This is by no means saying university education is less important"
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana visited two secondary schools in Davel for the roll-out of the 2016 Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign last Thursday.
He engaged more than 1 000 learners from Grade 9 to 12 of Umfydlana Combined and KwaDela Secondary Schools.
During the visit, he explained that the campaign was aimed at encouraging matric learners to apply on time for admission to post-school institutions to avert disappointment, long queues and stampede at the beginning of each academic year.
Mr Manana encouraged learners to refer to the list of 100 occupations in high demand that was released by the minister in 2014, which can help them make informed career choices to improve chances of employment.
He also encouraged the learners to consider Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as most career opportunities are leaning towards skills produced within this sector.
“This is by no means saying university education is less important, but we need to change the mindset as parents and learners to think post-school only means university education.”
He informed the learners about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which is aimed at assisting poor and academically deserving students to further their studies.
The Apply Now Campaign was initiated by the Department of Higher Education and Training after the unfortunate incident at the University of Johannesburg in 2012, where a mother died in a stampede while accompanying her child to submit a late application.
