WATCH | Is the grade 9 certificate a good idea?

JOHANNESBURG - The Basic Education Department has laid out the next steps in transforming the school system into a ‘three-stream’ model.

READ: Department of Basic Education intensifying Grade 9 certificate efforts

The department says it will step up the piloting of the new General Education Certificate.

The certificate, for pupils leaving school after grade nine, is expected to help address the high youth unemployment level but is it a good idea?

READ: Discussion | New education certificate for grade 9 pupils choosing to leave school

Education specialist Professor Mary Metcalfe spoke to eNCA.