| Many will not be able to further their studies |
|
Many will not be able to further their studies
Carien Kruger Die Rapport (2012-01-07)
Thousands of matriculants who passed with Matric University Exemptions (qualifying them to enrol for a degree or diploma qualification), will not actually be able to enrol for a university course. Many will not be able to study at university due to one of two reasons:
In addition, there are not enough available application spaces in South Africa’s universities - only 180 000 first year students can be accommodated out of all 23 universities in South Africa.
This is despite the fact that 263 351 of last year’s Matrics qualify (due to their Matric University Exemptions) to study at university. Of these 263 351 students, 120 767 qualify to enrol for a degree (24,3%) and 141 584 (28,5%) for a diploma.
According to Dr Diane Parker, acting Director General for University Education at the Department of Higher Education and Training, a total of 168 408 students enrolled to study at a university for the first time in 2010. Last year, in 2011, 175 072 students enrolled to study at a university for the first time.
According to statistics provided by Statistics South Africa (SSA), 17, 7% of the country’s 20 - 24 year olds were enrolled at universities during 2010.
The Department wants to increase this percentage over the next 10 to 20 years to between 20% and 23%.
Due to the limited capacity of universities, it is expected that universities will only be able to increase their by approximately 2, 8% each year.
Dr Diane Parker says that South Africans are under the misconception that university education is the most important kind of education.
“It does not help to develop high-level technologists, professional people and managers if we don’t deliver more mid-level artisans and technicians through vocational education and training.”
This year, Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges will be able to enrol 82 271 students.
The cost of education is also a deciding factor for prospective students.
For example, it can cost anything between R21 000 and R46 000 to study a BCom degree this year. It seems as if the University of Cape Town (UCT) is the most expensive.
In response to this, Prof Thandabantu Nhlapo, acting Rector at UCT, stated that UCT’s study fees are all-inclusive, whilst most other South African universities only mention their basic fees. Additional costs can include things like transport, field work, lecture notes, laboratory costs and internet access.
UCT’s study fees are similar to that of other universities who perform well on rankings, but, one needs to accept that their fees are higher than that of most other South African institutions.
In spite of this, UCT received 26 000 applications to register this year – even though they can only accommodate 4 000 .
Nhlapo said UCT is more expensive because it strives towards smaller classes, good facilities and equipment, proper academic assistance to underprivileged students, millions of rands in terms of financial aid to students and various other support services.
The university also wants to recruit the best academics by offering them good salaries and more time for research purposes.
A BCom degree costs: University of Cape Town: R37 500 – R46 500 * Based on the 2011 fees, inflation still needs to be calculated and added. Source: Institutions’ web pages
|
