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Microcredentials for youth and work

This report examines the value of alternative learning opportunities that lead to microcredentials, with a focus on youth, as a flexible and cost-effective way of acquiring skills and validating competencies to enhance signalling mechanisms among jobseekers and workers. It provides an analysis of the current global debate on microcredentials, including their benefits, challenges and potential impact on the labour market. Based on four illustrative cases — from a national system in India to sectoral use in health, private sector engagement by Microsoft and a platform-led approach through UNICEF’s Yoma — the report highlights the usage of microcredentials by governments, companies, international organisations and non-profit actors. The report offers policy recommendations aimed at improving the design, implementation and governance of microcredentials to better support youth transitions into decent work. This report is the culmination of a collective effort by the ILO and UNICEF, supported by the multi-stakeholder initiatives Decent Jobs for Youth and Generation Unlimited. The study benefited greatly from the experience and contributions of various governments, businesses, international organisations, and civil society organisations. JET's James Keevy, Kelly Shiohira, Patrick Molokwane, Lungelo Mthembu-Slater, Zaahedah Vally, Wamweni Shamambo, and Carla Pereira contributed to the report.

The State of Play of Microcredentials: Namibia

The PoMiSA (The Potential of Microcredentials in Southern Africa) project is a collaborative endeavour among leading Southern African and European universities, national councils, and strategic partners, aimed at exploring and leveraging the transformative potential of microcredentials within the Southern African region. The PoMiSA project aims to contribute to the advancement of higher education and workforce development in Southern Africa by unlocking the potential of microcredentials. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, the project seeks to establish a robust framework for the recognition, quality assurance, and regulation of microcredentials, ultimately fostering innovation, mobility and economic growth in the region. The project will systematically develop principles and policies for the recognition, quality assurance and regulation of microcredentials in Southern African countries. The PoMiSA project is pleased to release a series of country reports. These reports outline the state of play regarding microcredentials in each of the countries in which PoMiSA participants are based (Estonia, Flanders, Ireland, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, and South Africa).

The State of Play of Microcredentials: Lesotho

The PoMiSA (The Potential of Microcredentials in Southern Africa) project is a collaborative endeavour among leading Southern African and European universities, national councils, and strategic partners, aimed at exploring and leveraging the transformative potential of microcredentials within the Southern African region. The PoMiSA project aims to contribute to the advancement of higher education and workforce development in Southern Africa by unlocking the potential of microcredentials. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, the project seeks to establish a robust framework for the recognition, quality assurance, and regulation of microcredentials, ultimately fostering innovation, mobility and economic growth in the region. The project will systematically develop principles and policies for the recognition, quality assurance and regulation of microcredentials in Southern African countries. The PoMiSA project is pleased to release a series of country reports. These reports outline the state of play regarding microcredentials in each of the countries in which PoMiSA participants are based (Estonia, Flanders, Ireland, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, and South Africa).

JET Exchanges 5/2023: The Grade R Mathematics and Language Improvement Programme

The 5th JET Exchanges shares information about the Grade R Mathematics and Language Improvement Programme (MLIP) in which JET is a partner, describing the context in which the programme is being implemented before providing details on the programme itself. Foundational mathematics and literacy skills are premier issues in South African classrooms, both for learners as well as educators. South Africa has invested in several reading and mathematics interventions in the past years; however, setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic rolled back progress that had been made. According to a background report by Spaull for the 2030 Reading Panel, If learning loss estimates are correct and SA does manage to get back onto the prepandemic improvement trajectory, it will still take 86 years from 2023 up to 2108 until all Grade 4 children can read for meaning in SA (Spaull, 2023, 8). Currently, 65% of learners lack the skills needed to progress in language and mathematics (Gauteng Education Development Trust, 2021, 7). Considering the challenging landscape for advancing effective mathematics and literacy interventions, the Grade R MLIP has led efforts toward improving outcomes in these areas for all schools in Gauteng Province offering Grade R from 2022 through 2024.

Ópinion Piece: The Bana Pele 2030 Roadmap ECD Leadership Summit

A response: Towards the Realisation of ECD in South Africa South Africa's ECD sector faces several significant challenges despite ongoing investments such as the DBE 2030 Strategy for ECD programmes and the Bana Pele ECD Registration Drive. Despite these efforts, high levels of child poverty are a pressing issue: As stated in the South African Early Childhood Review 2024, there are nearly 7 million children under the age of 6 years in South Africa, 70% of whom live below the poverty line, emphasising the need for affordable and accessible ECD services to support children’s development. An opinion piece by JET ECD Research Officer, Nkhensani Baloyi.

Unlocking High-Quality Teaching

In an era defined by rapid innovation and constant change, it is tempting to focus on the latest trends or technologies that promise transformative change. However, refining existing teaching practices by closely examining the current realities of classrooms can be a powerful – and even potentially safer – approach to addressing stagnating student achievement, as seen across PISA participating countries. Further understanding the nature of teaching is critical, as no other factor within schools has a greater impact on students' academic success and overall achievement than the quality of teaching.

TICZA Community of Practice (CoPs) 2024: Integrated Report

The TICZA Community of Practice (CoP) is a programme element in the TICZA workstream ‘Sector- Wide Collaboration’. The purpose of this stream is to (i) deepen collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst stakeholders and implementing partners (IPs), leading to shared lessons and improved network relationships and partnerships among TICZA members; and (ii) develop shared resources that can be adapted and integrated into programme delivery to enhance system alignment. TICZA CoPs are a collaborative mechanism through which stakeholders share knowledge and practice, discuss key initial teacher education (ITE) issues and expand the evidence base on student- teacher internship models. CoP reports capture a range of inputs and shared insights which feed into the TICZA project; TICZA partners are expected to leverage and integrate these views into TICZA plans and workstreams.

Elisabeth Henning, Lyn Teixeira, Roelien Herholdt, Nozipho Motolo, Hanrie de Villiers. Presented at the South African Research Association for Early Childhood Education Conference, 2014.

Validation Report prepared by JET Education Services