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Mathematics and science, the two crucial disciplines necessary for a foundation in engineering, have seen a rapid decline in the number of students writing and passing these subjects on matrix.
According to the Department of Education, the number of students taking math in grade 12 decreased from 263,903 in 2015 to 222,043 in 2019, while physical science decreased from 193,189 to 164,478 in the same time period.
A career in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), and similar fields that have been identified as the types of skills required to fulfill the job titles of the future, requires a foundation in math and science, said Terry Rosenberg, president of Yaskawa Southern. Africa. , manufacturer of industrial robots.
Subsequently, some form of tertiary education in electronic and / or mechanical engineering is also needed to open doors in the field, he said.
With the alarming levels of unemployment in South Africa, it is essential to identify where there are skills shortages and to encourage students to study in those fields that present employment opportunities. An industry like robotics is asking for more engineers; however, there is a worrying trend occurring at the school level, Rosenberg said.
“It’s important for students to distinguish between robot manufacturing and robot use, because our country generally specializes in the latter,” Rosenberg said.
“Most robots are made overseas, but you need to understand how robots are made and how they work to understand where they can be used and how to program them for certain applications.”
Compared to global standards, Rosenberg believes that South Africa has a long way to go in terms of the quantity and quality of skill levels required, and an intervention must start from the ground up. However, to achieve this, both the public and private sectors must play a critical role in skills development.
Regarding the former, it is important to provide the basic educational tools while encouraging and channeling students into the engineering environment.
If students do not have the foundations, such as math and scientific knowledge, it is difficult for them to progress in the field of engineering. At the same time, the private sector can provide specialized training and certifications to suitable candidates.
“As a company, we take training very seriously, hence the creation of our training center and academy,” said Rosenberg. “We take the steps to offer training courses for our customers and their staff, taking them through the basics of robotics and how to use the products they buy.
Rosenberg highlighted the importance of companies and institutions working together to address the skills gap. Instead of waiting for either party to act and take the first step, they can support each other through knowledge sharing and other means.
“The South African Institute of Welding is doing a good job of training people on how to weld,” Rosenberg said.
“Cooperating with him, we donated a robot to the institute and offer advanced training for welding robots. We believe this can only be beneficial to welders in training, allowing them to develop new skills and experience the world of robotics first hand. And this could inspire them to improve their skills and embark on a journey into our industry at some point. “
Ultimately, for anyone looking to get into the field of robotics, it’s important that you get down to the basics first. Students should research the requirements and criteria for their desired career paths, ensuring that they are studying the correct subjects and meeting the necessary standards.
“There are opportunities for determined and diligent students, but it is important that they also lay the seeds for their future success,” Rosenberg said.
Growing trend
Figures from the Department of Education for 2019 showed that of the 787,717 students who wrote tuition exams, only 222,034 (28%) wrote math. Of those who wrote, 45% did not achieve a passing grade higher than 30%.
The Matric exams are scheduled to begin on November 5, 2020 and will run until December 15, 2020, with 1,058,699 candidates registered to take these exams.
University of Cape Town professor Suellen Shay has criticized the decline in mathematics reflected in the results of the South African matrix for 2019.
The number of students who wrote math has continued to decline each year and the pass rate has dropped to just 54%.
The minimum passing score in math is 30%.
“The drop in the number of students writing the 12th grade math test should be of great concern,” said Shay.
“Performance in math is important for college entrance. Without it, school dropouts are not eligible for college programs in science or engineering or some in commerce. “
He added that a 30% passing grade can ensure college entrance, but is too low to adequately prepare students for success at the college level.
Read: 5 Tech Skills Wanted In South Africa Right Now
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