South Africa's higher education sector has seen a dramatic increase in student enrolment since 1994, according to data presented to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG). The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) have observed substantial increases in enrollments.
University enrolment has more than doubled, from 495,348 in 1994 to 1,094,808 in 2020. This growth also reflects the significant demographic shift, with Black African students now constituting the largest racial group on university campuses.
In 1994, the majority of university students were White (221,832 students). There were 212,030 African students, 34,010 Indian students and 27,496 Coloured students enrolled in programmes at South Africa’s universities.
In 2020, the number of African students enrolled at universities quadrupled to 862,313 students while the number of White students declined to 118,505. The number of Coloured students enrolled at universities rose to 61,923 enrollments followed by 41,262 Indian students. The DHET classified 10,805 students as unknown.
The report released by the DHET also highlights ongoing challenges within the system. This includes funding constraints hindering growth in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and Further Education and Training (FET) colleges. Both sectors are considered crucial for equipping students with skills needed in the workforce.
The report acknowledges the substantial increase in government funding directed towards higher education, with the DHET budget rising from R107.3 billion in 2019/20 to R137.5 billion in 2024/25. A significant portion of this increase is allocated to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which has grown from supporting 7,000 students in 1991 to an estimated 1.1 million in 2023.
The PMG report commends efforts by the Committee to mitigate disruptions at the start of academic terms. By collaborating with universities and TVET colleges, the Committee has helped to identify and address potential problem areas, leading to a decrease in student protests.
The report also detailed several interventions in universities facing governance issues. Three institutions were placed under administration while independent assessors were appointed at two others. While progress has been made, challenges persist, including outstanding audits at four universities.
Looking ahead, the report identifies several key areas requiring attention.
Delays in NSFAS allowances and appeals processing contribute to student discontent at campuses around the county. In some extreme cases, this has led to protests disrupting the academic programme at Universities and TVET Colleges.
The critical shortage of appropriate student accommodation is another major challenge for the DHET. Delays in the completion of current infrastructure development projects, especially student accommodation, which is a priority area for the Department and universities to alleviate the current shortage of accommodation. This has already caused significant budget overruns at many institutions.
The burden of student debt, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds continues to be a challenges as institutions withhold graduation certificates.
The report identified conflicts between university leadership and governing bodies as one of the factors hindering stability at institutions. Additionally, slow progress on transformation goals and interference from criminal groups in construction projects are causing delays and financial strain.
Furthermore, universities are grappling with student and staff safety concerns, along with water supply issues, unreliable power due to load shedding, and the high costs of running backup generators.
It is believed that addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensure that South Africa's higher education sector continues to expand and provide quality education opportunities for all.
