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| Pretoria,SA |
Deputy
Minister of Economic Development Hlengiwe Mkhize has told delegates
attending the Innovation Africa Summit in Cape Town that the information and
communication technology (ICT) sector is one of the most important economic
growth drivers that will enable us to create much needed jobs in our country.
The
Summit which started yesterday (5 October) at the Westin Hotel, brings together
key players from governments from different African countries, and the private
sector, to explore new ideas that will ensure development in education,
research and ICT.
Deputy
Minister Mkhize, says leaders in education have to have a deeper understanding of
the ultimate skills needs of the employment sector, so as to assist them to
make sure they produce the relevant and required skills. In addition she says:
"The departments of education should ensure that computer skills are
taught in all secondary schools and form part of the standard adult basic
education and training (ABET) curriculum by 2015.
All
public servants should also receive ICT training. Achieving this aim urgently
requires a plan to train educators, access relevant teaching skills elsewhere
and establish computer centres for learners and communities."
This
she says this will contribute significantly in our ensuring that we reach our
goals set in the New Growth Path of creating of creating 5 million jobs by
2020.
The
New Growth Path is an economic policy framework launched in 2010, which is
aimed at assisting the government, to address problems of poverty, unemployment
and inequality.
In
her remarks, the Deputy Minister emphasised that our strategy for economic
growth acknowledges the significance of a knowledge-based society, which will
allow us to adapt to changing conditions and design solutions that will enhance
the competitiveness and growth potential of developing economies.
For more information please
contact:
Phumzile Kotane
Cell: 071 472 6978
E-mail: pkotane@economic.gov.za
Economic Development Department
South African Government
Press Release