If the Department of Science and Technology would focus on teaming up with other government departments to back science projects such as the MEDOsat1 private satellite and SpaceTrek programme, it could help to create millions of jobs in South Africa, the DA has said.
The party congratulated the leaders of the project, Meta Economic Development Organisation (MEDO) and the US’s Morehead State University in Kentucky, for establishing the programme which will see a group of South African teen girls launch the first private African satellite later this year.
DA shadow minister of science and technology, Annelie Lotriet, called on minister of science and technology Naledi Pandor to work with the minister of Basic and Higher Education to prioritise backing and expanding such projects to address critical skills development shortages through the education system.
“Given that South Africa has been ranked last in the world with regards to our mathematics and science education, and the fact that our tertiary output of science and mathematics graduates leaves much to be desired… This would go a long way to providing employment for the scores of young, scientific minds who would otherwise join the ranks of the 1.8 million unemployed. It would also make for a more competitive South African economy over the long-term,” Lotriet wrote on the DA’s blog.
The outlook for the future of the state of science in South Africa is a cause for concern if the subject’s national matric pass rate is anything go by. The amount of passes achieved in science has been decreasing since 2013 and now stands at just under 60%.
“If we are to address the crisis of joblessness that we face, we must use all sectors of the state to create greater access to employment. The Department of Science and Technology can and should take a leading role in this regard,” she added.
