DURBAN - THE eThekwini Municipality is proposing to spend about R3.4 million over the next three years on a career symposium for Grade 12 pupils.
The career symposium aims to advance public awareness and attract Grade 12 pupils to consider pursuing careers in technical fields, including in the science, engineering, mathematics and technology sectors.
The proposal was tabled before the human settlements and infrastructure portfolio committee meeting last week and still has to be passed by the executive committee and full council to take effect. However, the proposal has drawn criticism from an opposition party member on the committee, who said the money could have been better spent funding needy students to further their education.
A report detailing the proposal said the city had seen a rapid increase in the shortage of scarce skills within the eThekwini Municipality. It said the career symposium was a venture with the eThekwini Municipal Academy, and various stakeholders within the municipality.
“This platform is used to enhance, guide and motivate pupils in career choices, and is a chance to expose pupils to bursary opportunities from the city, government and/or other relevant stakeholders,” said the report.
IFP member of the committee Sandile Gwala said they supported the programme.
“We really need to encourage the youth to pursue scarce skills, we have seen instances where engineers are being brought in from Cuba,” said Gwala.
He said the party was, however, concerned as to what would happen with the programme if it was not able to go ahead because of Covid-19.
DA councillor Mzamo Billy said while the party accepted the need to encourage young people to advance their careers, any proposal should have regard for the current abnormal circumstances the country found itself in.
He said, based on the briefing on the matter, 60 pupils from disadvantaged schools would be identified to attend.
“The one-day event will cost just over R1 million this year, R1.16m in 2 022, and R1.22m in 2023. It is our considered view that these funds could be better utilised to fund at least 60 technical diplomas over the next three years. An average annual cost of a diploma is about R20 000 and, with more than R3m, we can help fund about 60 young people, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, to obtain qualifications instead of spending millions of rand on a one-day event.”
Deputy chair of the committee Bongumusa Mkhize said the programme would benefit many black youth to ensure there was equal participation in the economy.
THE MERCURY