The Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp says learners have varied skills and more should be done to embrace that. In an interview with the nbc's Touch FM, Steenkamp explained that pursuing a university degree is essential but not necessarily better than a college or vocational training qualification. She said that when it comes to education, life skills teachers should be able to expose learners to different career paths and options. Steenkamp encouraged learners and parents to hold life skills teachers accountable in relation to career guidance. Steenkamp further urged everyone to stop looking down on and discourage learners who want to do vocational skills. “There is a need for a mind shift from thinking that vocational or arts are only for people who do not perform academically, learners have different skills, and we need to help them develop all of it to ensure they can all reach their full potential". Steenkamp was speaking on Touch FM about the National Conference on education set to take place from 2 to 6 August 2022.