Skills shortage in South Africa: perspectives from high school educators

Abstract

This original research sought to obtain the perceptions of high school educators in South Africa with respect to the cause and effects of skills shortage in South Africa. The choice of the educators was justified because they taught subjects which are labelled critical subjects that result in learners possibly possessing specialist skills in Health Sciences, Engineering and Accounting. This research made use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, while analysis was descriptive in nature. Findings in this research suggest that several reasons account for skills shortage. However, more importantly, the educators indicated that skills shortage manifested in ugly social behaviours. The authors proffer several recommendations. Chief among them was the call for a collaborative engagement of the scourge among business, government, and academic institutions. The authors also recommend that further research be taken up to provide evidence on the extent of entrepreneurial keenness of learners from disadvantaged townships in South Africa so as to find alternative ways of improving their standard of living. The research was set in a South African township.