Entrepreneurship in basic education will contribute to a job-creating economy

SOUTH Africans remain resilient and determined, despite their continued efforts to deal with the challenges of youth unemployment, crime, and poverty.

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Recent reports from Statistics South Africa show that the youth unemployment rate is 46.1% for the 15-34 age group, 62.4% for the 15-24 age group and 40,4% for the 25-34 age group; these statistics indicate a crisis that requires deliberate intervention.

The Department of Basic Education's (DBE) ongoing integration of entrepreneurship education into schools, driven by its E³ (Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Education) initiative, is both timely and urgent. Recently making headlines through its new partnership with the European Union, the DBE has entered a critical phase of implementation that goes beyond theory.

The focus is now on embedding practical, challenge-based entrepreneurial learning into the national curriculum (CAPS), starting from the foundation phase. With youth unemployment at crisis levels, this initiative represents a strategic shift towards preparing learners not only for the job market but to become job creators in a rapidly evolving economy. This initiative is a great step toward addressing our country's many socio-economic challenges.

According to the CEO and Founder of Centennial Schools, Shaun Fuchs, the challenges we have start with our education curriculum at the basic level. He believes that while South Africa does not have as immense entrepreneurial potential, the education system must do more to equip young people with the skills and mindset to build sustainable businesses. Entrepreneurship has been shown to have a positive impact on various aspects of society, including economic growth, job creation, and social mobility.