• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home South Africa

Perception of TVET colleges discouraging student enrollment

30 January 2023, 12:07 PM  |
Bongisipho Magcaba Bongisipho Magcaba |  @SABCNews
Learners line up outside a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Learners line up outside a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Image: TVET Colleges SA

Learners line up outside a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Over 900 000 learners set for the 2022 matric exams and those who progressed carry with them the prospects of getting a seat at one of the 26 universities, 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or the scores of independent institutions across South Africa.

TVETs boast more than 364 campuses countrywide, serving around 800 000 students per annum, and were introduced as Further Education and Training (FET) colleges with the aim to tackle the skills shortage in South Africa.

These colleges focus on providing vocational and occupational education and training preparing students to become functional workers in skilled trade. Additionally, students who opt for TVET colleges may qualify for a National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary, as these are government owned entities.

However, a recent SABC News twitter poll viewed by 5 674 people and with 377 votes showed that many are wary of TVET institutions, with 24.1% saying they would opt for TVET colleges, while 43.8% would enrol at universities, 27.6% saying both and 4.5% saying neither.

Professor in the School of Education at UKZN Phumlani Myende says the reluctance is also caused by how communities perceive degrees versus diplomas versus certificate qualifications.

Myende says, “If I can go to a place where I can get a diploma or a degree why would I go to a place that is going to give me a certificate? That is one of the reasons why young people are found to be reluctant to go to TVET colleges.”

He also says, “Someone who is in a university is given a high status by the community, by family members, by the friends and by other young people, than someone who goes to a TVET college.”

The reluctance is also caused by how society perceives TVET certificates said Myende.

According to the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, TVET colleges plan to enrol 497 032 for 2023 for ministerial approved programmes with additional 59 383 enrolment for programmes funded through other funding sources.

The total planned TVET placement for 2023 sits at 556 415.

TVET colleges can be vehicles to employability
Whereas universities only have capacity to accommodate only 200 000 first year students, despite the fact that for first year enrolments for 2023, there are 278 814 who qualify for an admission into bachelor courses at universities.

Education expert Professor Mary Metcalfe says government has sought to increase the number of universities in the country, and has already built some.

Metcalfe says, ” Many people have argued that instead of growing more universities, or rather than making that a priority on its own because it must be a priority – we need to increase the number and the quality of students who attend TVET colleges because we have got to get the balance right.”

Gauteng is home to 7 universities, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape have 4 universities, while North West, the Free State having 2, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape each having 1 university each.

Universities in the country fall under 3 categories, traditional universities offering theoretical degrees, technology universities offering vocational education, and comprehensive universities which offer a combination of academic and vocational diplomas and degrees.

The capacity of each university varies from province to province.

Student placement in the country is however assisted by the many independent colleges who serve as a net for learners who either do not have the credits, are left out due to limited space or opt for them because of convenience.

EXPLAINER: Who are the ‘missing middle’?

Share article
Previous Post

Judge Koen recuses himself from Zuma corruption trial

Next Post

IFP not intimidated by coalition collapse

Related Posts

File: Illustration depicting avian flu

SA dealing with two Avian flu outbreaks

25 September 2023, 7:30 PM
File: Building on fire

City of Tshwane provides essential services to Cemetery View fire victims

25 September 2023, 6:50 PM
A big tree uprooted by strong  damaging winds, next to the bus terminus and fell at the Cape Town Bus station in the CB near the Golden Acre, captured on 25 September 2023.

EMS rescues six children trapped in Cape Town amidst severe weather

25 September 2023, 6:28 PM
A group of South African firefighters work to uproot a tree as they remove hot spots from a massive wildfire outside of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Topher Seguin/File Photo

Firefighters deployed to Canada return home safely

25 September 2023, 6:10 PM
Clean water running out of a pipe.

Repairs continue in a bid to restore water flow in parts of eThekwini

25 September 2023, 6:10 PM
Deputy President 
Paul Mashatile speaking at the Heritage Day Celebration.

Mashatile calls on engineers to tackle infrastructure challenges worsened by bad weather

25 September 2023, 6:00 PM
Next Post
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) president Velenkosini Hlabisa addresses party members.

IFP not intimidated by coalition collapse

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Concern over exclusion of foreign nationals from Road Accident Fund
  • Cashless taxi service launched in Cape Town
  • ANC building up in flames in Port St Johns
  • Western Cape on high alert following severe storm warning
  • A level two weather warning issued for southern KZN
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Visitors planning to visit the Overberg region urged to postpone their trips
  • Severe weather conditions expected in Western Cape over next two days
  • Golden Arrow bus overturns as heavy rains continue in Cape Town
  • Heavy downpour expected in the Eastern Cape
  • Three dead, scores injured in Cape Town bus accident amidst severe weather

LATEST

File: Illustration depicting avian flu
  • South Africa

SA dealing with two Avian flu outbreaks


File: Building on fire
  • South Africa

City of Tshwane provides essential services to Cemetery View fire victims


File: Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki attending African Leadership Network dinner in 2015.
  • Politics

Mbeki warns against private sector replacing government services


A big tree uprooted by strong  damaging winds, next to the bus terminus and fell at the Cape Town Bus station in the CB near the Golden Acre, captured on 25 September 2023.
  • South Africa

EMS rescues six children trapped in Cape Town amidst severe weather


Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - France v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - September 8, 2023 New Zealand's Aaron Smith and teammates perform the Haka in front of the France players before the match.
  • Sport
  • Rugby

All Blacks confident they can match level of Ireland, Springboks


A group of South African firefighters work to uproot a tree as they remove hot spots from a massive wildfire outside of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Topher Seguin/File Photo
  • South Africa

Firefighters deployed to Canada return home safely


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Judge Koen recuses himself from Zuma corruption trial
Next IFP not intimidated by coalition collapse