The Department of Higher Education and Training has disclosed that the Post School Education and Training (PSET) system in South Africa is equipped with multiple pathways for first-time entrants looking to pursue higher education.
Minister Buti Manamela announced that his department is actively collaborating with various institutions, including Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, Private Colleges, and Community Education Colleges, to enhance access to these pathways.
“The total number of spaces available at our public institutions of higher learning is currently 535,000, not factoring in the additional 90,000 spaces available at registered private colleges,” Manamela stated during a press briefing.
Despite this capacity, the minister also highlighted the ongoing struggle of the system to admit all the matriculants currently taking exams, echoing concerns about limited opportunities for the influx of students. This announcement comes on the heels of a decision to cap the student intake for 2026 at a strict limit of 235,000.
As the country grapples with more than 156,000 students sitting for this year's matric exams, the stark reality becomes evident: the demand for university spaces drastically outstrips supply. Minister Manamela emphasised that the post-school infrastructure is unable to keep pace, reflecting the high aspirations for tertiary education among matriculants.
“We encourage students entering the system to consider vocational training and community colleges, which together form a crucial pillar of the PSET ecosystem,” he added, suggesting a more diversified approach to education in the face of scarce university spots.
Looking forward, Minister Manamela plans to convene discussions with university security managers and SETAs to prepare for potential challenges in the upcoming registration process.
This meeting, scheduled for January, aims to ensure that all sectors of post-school education participate in solving the anticipated influx of students. While the matriculation pass rate stands at a commendable 87.3%, educational specialists, including Professor Wayne Hugo from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, raise alarms about the implications of this achievement. He points out that despite a record number of Bachelor’s passes over 337,000 there exists a significant shortfall in the capacity of the higher education system to absorb these students.
Hugo elaborated, “We are qualifying over 100,000 more students than the system can accommodate.” The effective access rate to universities is estimated to range between 60% and 70%, revealing a troubling statistic in the context of uneven admission thresholds across various institutions.
Moreover, Hugo cautions that a Bachelor’s pass is becoming less indicative of a student’s preparedness for university-level study. He notes that even those who score between 60% and 70% in their matric mathematics may still struggle with fundamental algebra skills once they reach the university environment. This has resulted in dismal first-year retention rates, particularly evident in subjects like engineering and commerce, where withdrawal rates can exceed 50%.
As universities grapple with creating bridging programmes to strengthen foundational skills, they face a daunting financial reality. Students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, are often caught in a detrimental cycle of accumulating debt through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) or relying on family support. Tragically, many drop out without securing a qualification.
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