Teachers’ perceptions of the role of entrepreneurship education in the career choice decision-making of business studies learners in Gauteng South Africa

Abstract

This study explored teachers’ views on the influence that entrepreneurship education has on Business Studies learners’ career choices in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative case study approach was employed with a sample size of five Business Studies teachers from three selected public secondary schools in Gauteng East District, using purposive and convenience sampling methods to select participants for this study. Semi-structured in-depth face-to-face interviews were employed to collect required data for this study. Data were analysed using Atlas.ti which is a Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) program. The findings from this study affirmed that Business Studies influences the career choices of learners to become entrepreneurs. Strengthened by the knowledge, skills and experience acquired from entrepreneurship as a segment in Business Studies, the study recommended that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) should provide the necessary encouragement to Business Studies learners as it is implemented with other subjects by assigning it an elevated status in the curriculum.