South Africa’s high unemployment rate appears to be affecting the country’s higher education sector. This has caused concern among officials from the Department.
Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, is concerned about the high dropout rate among university students.
The Department’s spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi, says that although the situation seems to be worsening, They have put measures in place to resolve the issue.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is doing all it can to support the learners in order for them to succeed in their studies. We are working together with them as far as career development is concerned through our career system.
University dropout rates in South Africa are reportedly incredibly high, with between 50-60% of first year students dropping out. This is something that the department has said it needs to pay attention to, and look into the root causes of why students are dropping out.
While referring to the issues of enrollment, the minister also confirmed the extent of the country’s odd university dropout crisis and further stated that around 4% of students that enrol in Grade one to Grade 12, end up with four-year degrees.
The minister expanded that out of 100 students that start Grade one to 12 (of those who access university education) only 6 manage to complete their education four with a degree.
