NYC - NYC Programme

EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN
When addressing the concerns of young women and men in the education and training sector it is important to avoid a narrow approach which can marginalise youth development issues. The education and training of young women and men must be firmly positioned as a youth development strategy. The main areas for youth development in the education and training sector which require attention are:

access to education and training institutions and programmes so that the principles of equal access is ensured, especially through the design and administration of admission criteria;
issues associated with student debt and the need for a new means of financing studies; and
redressing the imbalances and inequities of the past, including the need to address institutional and procedural racism.

When addressing the issue of education and training from a youth development perspective, the following objectives for action have been formulated:

to ensure the practical social and environmental needs of young women and men in the education and training system are addressed (including architectural design and structures which affect young people with disabilities) so they are able to make full use of the reforms and transformations in this sector;
to respond with urgency and determination to the issues faced by the out-of-school youth so as to ensure this group of young men and women are given new opportunities to engage in education and training; and
to enhance and develop the skills, standards and behaviour amongst those who design, implement, manage and monitor youth development programmes and those who work directly with young men and women.

One of the most critical groups of young people in need in this sector are those who are considered "out-of-school"; young women and men who are no longer engaged in the education system, who are without employment, or any significant school qualification. These young women and men are in grave danger of being permanently unemployed or of participating in illegal or risky activities as a result of their alienation from society. Other target groups of particular concern are:

young men and women who are disabled;
rural young people;
young women; and
young men and women who are in correctional facilities.

Young men and women who are disabled require access to mainstream education along with all other young people. The provision of appropriate access and a supportive environment is essential to this group.
In addition to the specific needs of young women and men in education and training, is the need for human resource development within the youth work sector. South Africa has very few opportunities for workers with young women and men to develop and improve their skills. Thus, the education and training of youth workers is an important issue in youth development.
Finally, the National Youth Policy has recognised that a sizeable number of young women and men suffer from special needs in education and training which, if not addressed, can severely limit their capacity to benefit from these services. These include, for example, young people with learning difficulties.
STRATEGIES
The National Youth Policy proposed the following strategies to address the needs of young women and men in this sector:

Strategy 8.1: Civil rights education
Strategy 8.2: Expansion of youth and community colleges for out-of-school young people
Strategy 8.3: Student financing
Strategy 8.4: National youth service
Strategy 8.5: Professionalising youth work
Strategy 8.6: Youth representation