Gauteng education dept prioritises critical skills schools

The Rhodesfield Technical High School is one of 29 in Gauteng identified to be converted into a school of specialisation. [Photo source: GDE Twitter page]

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This week, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) unveiled another specialisation school focused on creating a skilled labour force.

Located in Kempton Park, Rhodesfield Engineering School of Specialisation was established in 1975 for learners to study auto mechanics, electrical engineering and woodwork, among other subjects.

Now, the school has been redesigned into a specialisation school focused on subjects such as mechanical, electrical and civil technology to create a skills pipeline in aviation, logistics and engineering.

It is well known that SA faces a digital skills gap, with government, organisations and industry veterans all calling for increased focus on skills development in key sectors.

To address the skills deficit, the GDE has been committed to revamp some of the township schools into specialisation schools and provide modern facilities as a way to encourage ICT adoption and skills development, improving the quality of education.

These schools of specialisation also form part of the provincial government's transformation, modernisation and re-industrialisation strategy of the Gauteng city region.

Driving the initiative is Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, who reiterated his commitment to prioritise township education, which, according to him, is aimed at improving the quality of education.

Lesufi has previously indicated he wants to see learners participate in the knowledge economy rather than SA's historic job sectors.

The GDE explains: "Schools of specialisation will assist in addressing critical skills shortages in South Africa. These schools will offer a highly specialised curriculum and will target the top performing learners across the province.

"Rhodesfield Technical High School is one of 29 in the province identified to be converted into a school of specialisation, and follows the opening of Curtis Nkondo School of Specialisation, in Emndeni, in May 2016, Magaliesburg School of Specialisation, in May 2017, and the Nuclear Technology Schools of Specialisation (NTSOS) in April 2018.

"Schools of specialisation offer a highly specialised curriculum and seek to nurture the development of top talent in South Africa across key disciplines, breeding the country's future generation of leaders."

Converting Rhodesfield into a specialisation school, the GDE notes, was a collaborative effort with organisations such as Paramount Group, South African Airways, Barloworld and Fireblade Aviation, to name a few.

"As an engineering school of specialisation, with specialisation in aviation, Rhodesfield is purposed to address critical skill shortages and nurture the development of top talent in the five key disciplines, namely: mathematics, science and ICT, engineering, commerce and entrepreneurship, performing and creative arts and sports," says Paramount, in a statement.