The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds
Background: South African youth in poor and rural communities have faced serious challenges, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has worsened their situation. The odds are stacked against them as they try to obtain an education, and eventually a career. Many students struggle to complete the...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2021-05-01
|
| Series: | African Journal of Career Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/36 |
| _version_ | 1818792257242791936 |
|---|---|
| author | Indira Pillay |
| author_facet | Indira Pillay |
| author_sort | Indira Pillay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: South African youth in poor and rural communities have faced serious challenges, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has worsened their situation. The odds are stacked against them as they try to obtain an education, and eventually a career. Many students struggle to complete their studies amidst the pressure of the pandemic, and concerns over career possibilities weigh heavily on their shoulders.
Objectives: The need for this research is to highlight the challenges faced by youth within the education system. It is also to explore the failings of the South African government and its education sector.
Method: A brief overview of the current and historical literature was conducted. Relevant literature was reviewed and critically analysed.
Results: Eight major themes emerged from the literature surveyed. These included access to education, difficulties faced by girls, racism, infrastructure problems in poor and rural schools, child-headed households, education during COVID-19, food security and the absence of career guidance in low-income schools.
Conclusion: In light of South Africa’s difficult history, and the fact that it is 27 years after the fall of apartheid, the state of South Africa’s education system is not conducive to education and promoting career development in young people. More attention needs to be given to education in poorer communities, and government needs to be held accountable. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T15:24:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-636ffd4658ce4dfa9c789f0308f7951c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2709-7420 2617-7471 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T15:24:22Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Career Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-636ffd4658ce4dfa9c789f0308f7951c2022-12-21T21:03:19ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Career Development2709-74202617-74712021-05-0131e1e710.4102/ajcd.v3i1.3618The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgroundsIndira Pillay0Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, PretoriaBackground: South African youth in poor and rural communities have faced serious challenges, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has worsened their situation. The odds are stacked against them as they try to obtain an education, and eventually a career. Many students struggle to complete their studies amidst the pressure of the pandemic, and concerns over career possibilities weigh heavily on their shoulders. Objectives: The need for this research is to highlight the challenges faced by youth within the education system. It is also to explore the failings of the South African government and its education sector. Method: A brief overview of the current and historical literature was conducted. Relevant literature was reviewed and critically analysed. Results: Eight major themes emerged from the literature surveyed. These included access to education, difficulties faced by girls, racism, infrastructure problems in poor and rural schools, child-headed households, education during COVID-19, food security and the absence of career guidance in low-income schools. Conclusion: In light of South Africa’s difficult history, and the fact that it is 27 years after the fall of apartheid, the state of South Africa’s education system is not conducive to education and promoting career development in young people. More attention needs to be given to education in poorer communities, and government needs to be held accountable.https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/36covid-19educationemploymentinequalitysouth africa |
| spellingShingle | Indira Pillay The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds African Journal of Career Development covid-19 education employment inequality south africa |
| title | The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds |
| title_full | The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds |
| title_fullStr | The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds |
| title_short | The impact of inequality and COVID-19 on education and career planning for South African children of rural and low-socioeconomic backgrounds |
| title_sort | impact of inequality and covid 19 on education and career planning for south african children of rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds |
| topic | covid-19 education employment inequality south africa |
| url | https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/36 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT indirapillay theimpactofinequalityandcovid19oneducationandcareerplanningforsouthafricanchildrenofruralandlowsocioeconomicbackgrounds AT indirapillay impactofinequalityandcovid19oneducationandcareerplanningforsouthafricanchildrenofruralandlowsocioeconomicbackgrounds |