The impact of the introduction of the new FET system at colleges in the Free State with special reference to Motheo FET College

Abstract

This study provides an analysis of the impact of the introduction of the FET system at Colleges in the Free State, with reference to Motheo FET College.

The aim of the research was to explore the perceptions of Motheo FET staff on the implementation of the FET system. It is believed that these perceptions have far-reaching implications on aspirations of the stakeholders with regard to the implementation and success of the FET system at Motheo FET College.

The literature has revealed that legislation, namely, the FET Act 98 of 1998, the SAQA Act 58 of 1995 and the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998, form an indispensable past of the FET sector and also provide all stakeholders with a frame of reference and guidelines to manage the new FET system for Motheo FET College effectively and efficiently.

The study also has revealed that success in the FET sector will be achieved by closing the gap between “education and training” and also ”theory and practice”.

Removal of the fragmentations in education through a co-ordinated, flexible and high-quality FET system will result in employability and employment opportunities for FET learners. It has become clear that the above objective may be best achieved by strengthening co-operation between the Department of Education and the Department of Labour, in which case a new system of learnership should be identified as a mechanism to enhance collaboration between the aforementioned departments.

A literature study, interviews, observations and site analysis were used as data collection methods.

Four major themes were formulated from the analysis of data, namely, transformation of the FET sector, ensuring equity in all respects regarding FET matters and ensuring equality in all aspects within the FET sector.

The important findings were discussed at length and thereafter, the summary, discussions, conclusions and recommendations were drawn from the findings.