The Three Stream Model

The Strategic Objective of the Three Stream Model is to increase the model, quality and type of access to quality education through increasing learner access to Technical, Vocational and Skills (TVS) subjects and schools.

• The contemporary world of work requires a combination of socio-emotional skills, workplace readiness, technical and vocational skills, and entrepreneurship skills.
• In the 2019-2024 term, the development of these skills and competencies will be achieved through the expansion of curriculum options (technical, agricultural, and vocational skills subjects and schools of skills).

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is in the process of introducing an occupational and vocationally oriented curriculum as part of the strengthening of the Three Stream Model in the basic education sector. The curriculum is aligned to vocational and occupational fields of study.

The Council of Education Ministers approved that the occupational oriented curriculum be piloted in the Schools of Skills in 2017. The pilot that stretched over four years is to be completed in 2020. Full implementation of occupational subjects in Schools of Skills will commence in 2021. Selected ordinary schools that are equipped to offer the services and technical subjects will pilot the vocationally oriented subjects in Grade 8 from 2021 with the pilot extended to Grade 9 in 2022.

The purpose of piloting the draft occupational and vocationally oriented curriculum is to make sure the curriculum is effective and to make changes before it is distributed or offered widely. Piloting a curriculum helps to identify which sections of the curriculum worked and which sections need strengthening.

Learners offering the programme will in the future be awarded a General Education Certificate (GEC) qualification as a transition qualification upon meeting the minimum requirements as set out in the GEC Policy framework. The GEC qualification is aimed at supporting learners to articulate into the different pathways in the Further Education and Training phase.

• Implement occupational oriented subjects in Schools of Skill  
• Introduction of vocationally oriented subjects within the GET phase at Grade 8 (2021) and 9 level (2022)
• Learners must be encouraged to stay in the schooling system
• Career information, advice and guidance from early in the GET phase to make informed choices
• The purpose of the GET Phase remains general-formative
• Transition qualification at the end of Grade 9 (GEC) is supported to articulate into different pathways in the FET phase, the PSET system, and the world of work (See WCED endorsed Certificate with memorandum)
• Schools of Skills have a prolonged approach towards a GEC (OO)
• Early specialisation in GET is not supported

Aligned to the Senior Phase of the GET band and offered;

As an elective within the General Certificate of Education with an exit qualification at NQF level 1 in a

• School of Skills
• Special School (Not SOS) 
• Full-Service Ordinary School
• Ordinary School or
• Technical High School / FOCUS schools

General / Fundamental Subjects (50% of contact time per week)

In a School of Skills: Offer 1 of 21 Occupational Subjects ( +/- 13 Hours PW)

* Subjects to be piloted in 2021 pending curriculum &  ** Subjects not aligned to FET in Basic Education

Download the Grade 8 and 9 Three Stream Model: Vocational Curriculum List of Schools with Subjects offered in 2022 here.

At GET LEVEL (Grade 8 and 9) to strengthen Vocational Education into the FET Band / TVET College

A GEC qualification at Level 1 on the NQF is to be awarded

The development of clear learning pathways for the FET Phase is paramount. As per the definition, a learning pathway is defined as the route that a learner takes based on the subject combinations/fields (e.g. Business, Commerce, Management, Technical, Arts etc.) to progress through the FET Phase to the post-school education and training system, to the world of work.The introduction of vocationally oriented subjects within the FET phase in public ordinary schools is important.

Introduction of occupational oriented subjects in public ordinary schools at FET level should be planned for and quality assured to ensure further learning and entry to the workplace after school.

Technical Subjects

• Introduce Skills subjects to articulate into Grade 10
• Intensify Maths and Science in Grades 8 & 9

Practical Subject

*In combination with any other subject:

Queries relating to the Three Stream Model can be directed to:

Neil Simons Chief Educational Specialist Neil.Simons@westerncape.gov.za

Sarelda Koopman DCES: MST & Three Streams Sarelda.koopman@westerncape.gov.za