The core business of our schools is to prepare our youth for the demands of life. Where in the past the emphasis in schools lay entirely on academics there has been a clear shift in the last nine years towards equipping our learners with a full range of skills, knowledge and life experience - to better prepare them for the requirements and challenges of global competition. Our Western Cape Government sees this as a very positive development in our education system - and believes that it should be taken even further. Our Western Cape Education Department under the leadership of Minister André Gaum, will therefore be investigating the feasibility and possible partnerships to introduce driver's license training as part of high school education in our province.

During the recent Imbizos in the Western Cape, the issue of driver's license training at schools was raised a number of times. What is clear is that the costs currently associated with obtaining a driver's license are beyond the means of the majority of South African families. In the Western Cape, for example, these costs include R60 for the learner's appointment, R30 for the learner's certificate, R120 for the driver's license appointment, R100 for the license certificate, R20 for 4 ID photos and at least a further R70 per hour for every lesson by a professional driving school. These items exclude the costs of study materials and, naturally, the vehicle required both for practice and ultimately to take the test. The result is that the entire process, assuming that the learner passes on the first attempt and has access to a vehicle, is likely to cost at least R1000.

With an estimated 7,7 million South African households earning less than R1600 a month, it is apparent that an expense of R1000 is beyond the ability of most South African families to afford. This is particularly true for our poorest communities and the result is that a driver's qualification, required by most well-paid skilled jobs, has become a glass-ceiling on the dreams and ambitions of many of our most promising learners who might otherwise begin to compete for employment on a level playing field. Our Provincial Government believes that it is time to level that field for all.

This idea is naturally not without its challenges. The already heavy load faced by Matric candidates would be added to, schools and education authorities would need to find time in the school programme, and - perhaps most challenging of all - schools would need to gain access to appropriate vehicles. None of these obstacles are insurmountable - the training could be phased in from Grade 11, time could be found before or after normal school hours, and the private sector could be approached to become partners with their local schools in these projects. We would even favour a system whereby businesses - from the smallest entrepreneur to the largest corporates - would be given specific tax incentives by National Government (building on the existing tax legislation concerning educational donations) whereby vehicles could be made available to schools in return for tax credits, and qualified driving instructors could offer their services for a similar rebate, either to train students directly or transfer skills to teachers.

The benefits of this training make the search for ways around the obstacles worthwhile. A driver's license is so much more than a permit to drive - it is often the key to economic mobility for our youth.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923