What's wrong with this picture. South Africa is so short of skills that they have to launch a whole new initiative (JIPSA) to address this problem. Yet 200,000 tertiary-qualified individuals are unemployed. A FinWeek report from 16 November, 2006 explains this anomaly.
A study from UCT's School of Economics found that 82% of these people hold diplomas and the balance degrees. It also observed that the majority were black graduates. The reason behind this is not as sinister as it may appear. The report noted:
"African students or students studying at historically black institutions tend to graduate in fields of study with lower employment prospects, often because they don't meet the minimum requirements for enrolling in mathematics, science and engineering courses."
FinWeek did however conclude that the study shows that very little seems to being done to improve mathematics and science education in SA.
It's just occurred to me - the Reunert BEE deal is trying to do something about this. Boel told the Business Day, "Reunert realises how critical quality education in mathematics and science is for our own future and that of SA."
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