South Africa’s education system is at a turning point. Over the past three decades, we have made significant progress – enrolment rates among 7- to 15-year-olds have risen from 89% in 1995 to 99% in 2018, marking a major step towards universal access to basic education (CDE, 2023). Yet, beneath these gains lies a far more sobering reality: far too many learners continue to fall behind in the very subjects that will define our future economy and global competitiveness.
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The 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) revealed that 59% of South Africa’s Grade 9 learners did not meet the minimum international benchmark in mathematics, while 64% failed to achieve basic competency in science. These figures are not merely about test scores – they speak to a deep structural challenge in preparing our youth for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.
Adding to the complexity is the global teacher shortage crisis. According to UNESCO’s 2024 Global Report on Teachers, the world will face a deficit of 44 million primary and secondary school teachers by 2030. Of these, an estimated 15 million will be needed in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. In South Africa, the shortage is especially acute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, compounded by educator burnout, overcrowded classrooms, and declining teaching quality (CDE, 2023).
This is where the Regenesys School of Education steps in – not as a passive observer of the crisis, but as an active architect of solutions. The newly accredited Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (B.Ed. SP and FET), specialising in Science, Technology, Mathematics, Business, and Management, is designed to address these challenges head-on.
More than a Qualification – A National Imperative
This programme is not just another academic credential. It is a deliberate, future-focused response to one of the most urgent crises facing South Africa: the shortage of skilled, future-ready secondary school teachers in high-demand subject areas. Grounded in innovation, integration, and impact, the curriculum combines cutting-edge pedagogy with deep subject-content expertise, ensuring that graduates are not only knowledgeable but adaptable, entrepreneurial, and equipped for the complex demands of modern classrooms.
Our approach is guided by five core objectives:
- Developing highly skilled teachers for critical STEM and business disciplines.
- Addressing national and continental teacher shortages by producing educators prepared to teach where they are needed most.
- Strengthening curriculum stability and innovation through deep content knowledge and pedagogical excellence.
- Encouraging economic development by equipping teachers to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking in learners.
- Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 by promoting inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
Education Beyond Four Walls
At Regenesys, we recognise that education is no longer confined to the four walls of a classroom. It exists at the intersection of technology, business, science, and human connection. Our programmes embrace epistemic justice, universal design, and transformative learning principles, ensuring that no learner is left behind – whether due to socio-economic barriers, learning differences, or geographic constraints.
By integrating these principles into teacher education, we are preparing educators who can ignite curiosity in STEM subjects, foster resilience, and inspire the entrepreneurial mindsets essential for a thriving economy.
Why This Matters Now
The stakes are too high to ignore. South Africa’s prosperity depends on producing a generation of learners who are not just literate, but future literate – capable of navigating complex challenges, leveraging technology, and driving innovation. This begins with teachers who are well-trained, well-supported, and empowered to make a difference.
The Regenesys School of Education is not simply training teachers. We are shaping the architects of tomorrow’s possibilities – educators who will inspire young minds, bridge the skills gap, and lay the foundation for a more equitable and prosperous South Africa.
