It has been 21 years since South Africans cast their votes and while there have been positive strides in higher education, there are also challenges that the sector is grappling with.
Transformation is a hot debate in the country at the moment, following University of Cape Town’s student protests for the removal of imperialist Cecil John Rhodes’ statue.
During the protests students voiced their frustration over the slow transformation phase in universities. The protests sparked a debate on race relations, access and funding at universities.
Mienke Steytler says the numbers of enrolments has doubled since 1995
Statistics indicate a positive trend in the number of people that enrol in higher education institutions. Institute of Race Relations’ Head of Media and Public Affairs, Mienke Steytler says the numbers of enrolments has doubled since 1995.
During that year 575 412 people enrolled and the number increased to 953 373 in 2012.
Steytler however points out that 51% of those who enter the system do not graduate. She highlights lack of funding as crucial to this statistic. Click below to listen to Mienke Steytler
North West University Vice Chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi acknowledges the strides that have been made.
“We have improved as a country and I am speaking in terms of issues relating to transformation. While the phase is slow, the progress is remarkable.”
Protests over funding are a familiar sight in institutions of higher learning. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is one of the major government’s initiatives to solve the problem.
The scheme aims to fund young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Kgwadi says however, that funding is not sufficient for the numbers that are enrolling.
According to the Professor, universities and the private sector should play a role in resolving this issue.
“Funds are not sufficient and I doubt that they will ever be unless others come on board. We can not only look at the state for funding, we should also look at the participation of the private sector.” Click below to listen to Professor Dan Kgwadi
Department of Higher Education and Training spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana says enrolment of young people has increased in such a way that universities are struggling to cope with the numbers.
Young people continue opting for university qualifications despite the Higher Education Department’s call for them to apply at the Further Education and Training (FET) centres across the country.
Nkwanyana says although there is a steady increase in the numbers of those who choose the FET route, the Department’s annual target of a million enrolments has not been reached.
What is equally concerning is the number of students who choose to enrol at private colleges, some of which are not accredited. Nkwanyana says the department is working hard to shut them down.