South Africa Education Future Trends

It has undergone many changes over the past few years, and global trends continue to influence the HE sector. The fourth industrial revolution have heightened the need for innovative change to ensure education remains relevant and current and in line with the demands of a global economy.

This has necessitated rapid advances in technology which have seen enrolment in online programmes increasing in SA and is transforming the way that students learn. In a country that cannot build new universities to scale with population growth, alternative education formats need to become the default option, with short courses, certifications and online training becoming more commonplace. Industry recognition of these alternative education options is also important as not every student will want, or be able to, complete a traditional four-year degree. Digital education is vital to the country’s future.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will undoubtedly change the world of work. Certain jobs will become obsolete, as intelligent machines will be able to complete tasks quicker and more accurately than humans. New roles will also be created – jobs that we have not even thought about yet. As businesses keep revising their existing approach, Higher Education Institutes too, need to delve more into technology to provide learners with the right set of tools. 

Currently, only a minuscule number of public schools in SA, approximately 28%, use computers and other devices to enhance teaching and learning. The government has expressed interest in EdTech and funded the delivery of tablets and broadband access to schools. In the coming years, we hope to see an EdTech ecosystem that attracts the funding needed to grow. Mainly, it is still far from allowing technology to open the doors of learning and make education accessible to all, as envisaged in our Constitution.

For further information, please contact: 
Sanjay Harryparshad
U.S. Commercial Service, South Africa
sanjay.harryparshad@trade.gov