SA needs more students, says World Bank

The institution released a new report on the South African economy in Johannesburg on Tuesday – which focuses on tertiary education.  

World Bank Program Leader for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, Sebastien Dessus, says there has been a decline in enrolments at tertiary institutions over the past couple of years.

“If you look at the number of students who got matric with exemption or bachelor pass, meaning they are academically eligible to enter university, and you compare that with the number of students who enter for the first time in university. You see that the ratio has been going down. So the proportion of academically eligible to enter university has gone down in the recent years and has raised frustration in its own right. On top of that we have seen that wage inequality has gone up so the perception that getting a good job gives you a high premium is being reinforced.” 

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According to the report, students are dropping out of tertiary institutions for a variety of reasons. 

Last year, over 800 000 full time and part time students sat down to write their final matric exams. 

Despite the number of students who passed their matric and were eligible to go to university, many institutions do not have the capacity to accommodate students. 

With only has space for 5200 first year students, while the institution received 70 349 applications. 

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is only able to accommodate 10 000 first-time, first-year students. It received 130 000 applications. 

Dessus believes capacity could be increased through TVET colleges. 

He also says the development of community colleges and bridges with university will curb some of the problems.