During a media briefing about the state of readiness of higher education, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande stated that students who study courses which are not in high demand are more likely to struggle with unemployment after they graduate.
Nzimande reportedly stated that there are too many students rushing to programmes that the country is not short of and are oversubscribed, which breeds unemployment.
"We are still going to spend a good percentage of the NSFAS money to support students who are not going to get jobs at the end of the day because they are in areas that are not in high demand," said Nzimande.
Nzimande has encouraged students to look at the critical skills needed in South Africa before enrolling in any courses.
South African Union of Students (SAUS) spokesperson, Asive Dlanjwa says that the focus has been on broadening access to higher education and while this is not a problem he believes that the education system as a whole should be responsible for students making more informed decisions about the courses they choose.
University of Johannesburg Researcher, Professor Mary Metcalfe says that there may be too much concentration on the idea that a specific degree or qualification gives people skills which will be relevant to one occupation for all time.
Metcalfe says that society and the economy is constantly changing and it is important that graduates, with skills which are not in high demand, know how to adapt and apply their qualifications to new jobs and opportunities.
Many experts have expressed a need for research regarding careers which will be in high demand in the future so that higher education institutions can advise students on which courses to enroll for to ensure that they find employment after graduating.
SAUS says this research and innovation must lead to the positive development of the country's economy and society.
