According to the second quarter of 2023 report of Statistics South Africa, the unemployment rate for youth between the ages of 25 and 34 is at 38.9% and as high as 60. 7% for youth aged between 15 and 24. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for a proactive strategy to boost employment and accelerate the development of new business ventures.
One promising solution lies in the realm of entrepreneurship, which should not only be introduced after formal schooling but integrated into early education. It is imperative to equip young children with the knowledge and skills to become informed consumers who comprehend their role in the economy. This foundational education empowers them to evolve into problem-solvers within their communities, fostering awareness and the confidence needed to initiate their enterprises in response to local challenges.
South Africa’s escalating youth unemployment dilemma is exacerbating the skills and inequality gap. The Department of Basic Education’s DBE-E³ programme has stepped up to address this void. The programme adopts a high-impact, inclusive approach to reshape the educational trajectories of every young South African, actively supporting the DBE in the implementation of entrepreneurial education throughout all schools by 2035.
Entrepreneurship has gained increasing importance in national and international policy agendas, both for long-term economic development and the resolution of fundamental socio-economic issues. Creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurial education, and laying the foundations for growth, represents the optimal approach to unlocking the vast potential residing within entrepreneurship.
“The DBE- E³’s commitment to entrepreneurship education is a significant step in the right direction. This commitment aligns with the broader agenda of BRICS countries to strengthen entrepreneurship development in education”, says James Donald DBE-E³ Executive Director.
The core tenets of entrepreneurship, encompassing problem-solving, risk-taking, creativity, critical thinking, and financial literacy should be integrated into the school curriculum. This notion has garnered support from various stakeholders within the education sector, the private sector, and civil society, emphasising the importance of entrepreneurship education.
As we celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week between 14 and 18 November 2023, the DBE- E³ programme reaffirms its dedication to supporting teachers and learners who are embracing entrepreneurial ways of being, with a mindset that helps them to recognise and act on opportunities, to make decisions with limited resources and create value for others.
What began in 2008, has evolved into a global initiative aimed at promoting a positive agenda to inspire and educate individuals, particularly the younger generation, to view entrepreneurship as a vital means to stimulate economic growth.
Effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including parents, school governing bodies, teachers, and learners, is paramount in advancing entrepreneurial education and achieving our collective goals.
