South Africa is on the verge of introducing a nationwide implementation of a novel school certification, the General Education Certificate (GEC), targeted at grade 9 students. Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education, emphasized that the GEC aims to offer learners enhanced opportunities to showcase their skills in inquiry-based learning, problem-solving in real-world scenarios, and crafting practical solutions.
Motshekga underlined that the primary objective of the GEC is to better equip students for subsequent educational pursuits and employment opportunities. Despite reservations expressed by some academics, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has clarified that the GEC is not intended as an exit point for students at the grade 9 level but serves as a valuable resource for informed decision-making among learners.
