The Barriers and Facilitators Impacting the Implementation of Curriculum Reforms in Higher Education for Sustainability
Thivhavhudzi Muriel Badugela 
Issue: Vol.6 No.9 Article 29 pp.2143 – 2154
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256929 | Published online 28th August, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The escalating global youth unemployment rate, coupled with limited exposure to entrepreneurship education, exacerbates socio-economic challenges. This study thus explored how cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets through education can contribute to job creation. Using a systematic literature review approach, the study examined research published from 2014 to 2024, sourcing data from Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science. Out of 1250 articles identified, 15 qualitative studies were selected for thematic analysis based on their relevance to the research objectives. It was found that limited exposure to entrepreneurship education significantly hampers efforts to attract youth to entrepreneurial activities. A lack of foundational knowledge of entrepreneurship reduces young people’s ability to respond to socio-economic challenges creatively, including recognising and acting on opportunities for self-employment. The review concluded that entrepreneurship education is critical in shifting students’ mindsets towards embracing entrepreneurship, enhancing job creation, and economic participation. Furthermore, the study emphasises that entrepreneurship education fosters essential cognitive characteristics such as creativity, risk-taking, and problem-solving skills crucial for successful entrepreneurial actions. Without integrating entrepreneurship education into higher education curricula, particularly at the undergraduate level, youth unemployment in South Africa is likely to persist. The study underscores the importance of mindset transformation in motivating youth to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours, and advocates for the inclusion of practical, experience-based education to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, economic growth, entrepreneurial mindset, youth unemployment
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Dr. Thivhavhudzi Muriel Badugela
Since joining the University of Venda, Muriel has lectured on the Sociology of Education and Curriculum studies. Muriel attended National and international conferences, presenting papers. Muriel published book chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals. Before joining the university, she taught at a secondary school for 28 years and worked as a Principal at Tshiluwi Primary School. Since 2018, Muriel has been a Lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education. Qualifications: STD-Makhado, B.A-Unisa, Bed Hons-Northwest, Med- Curriculum Studies Unisa, ACE- English, Technology Education -Unisa, Travel &Tourism -SACTE; PhD-African studies _Univen.
Thivhavhudzi Muriel Badugela . “The Barriers and Facilitators Impacting the Implementation of Curriculum Reforms in Higher Education for Sustainability,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 9 (2025): 2143 – 2154, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256929.
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
