Only 2 in 10 Matric’s can study on campus in 2017
With the 2016 Matric results being released on 5 January 2017, questions regarding future generations’ academic prospects remain a major concern for South Africans. In a recent statement by leading economist, Mike Schussler, SA campuses’ lack of financial resources and poor support system for students, are a large setback in the country’s education sector.
“While students from different backgrounds manage to register at reputable universities, a lot fewer students, particularly among black communities with low household incomes, reach the finish line because they simply don’t have the educational resources to help maximise their learning potential”, says Schussler.
SA university acceptance rates are also becoming a more worrying factor every year – numbers already stood at one in eight students being accepted at SA universities in 2015 – Times Live. In more recent Times Live article, an estimated 70 000 first-year applications were submitted for next year’s 6 200 places available at the University of Witwatersrand’s (WITS). The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) has also already received 233 470 applications for funding, the highest number of applications ever for higher education funding – News24. This, in the light of the explosive series of #FeesMustFall student protests, highlights students’ desperate need for more cost-effective (if not free) tertiary education solutions.
“With an estimated two in ten Matrics expected to be accepted at SA campuses for the 2017 academic year, it’s certain that low acceptance rates are becoming more of a reality today”, says Stiaan Klue, Executive Dean and chief executive officer of The Tax Faculty, South Africa’s leading tax body that has collaborated with the University of South Africa (UNISA). “However, aspiring learners do not have to ‘shut down’ their short or long term academic goals. Alternative learning opportunities such as virtual courses offer advanced, interactive environments without the delays and daily challenges experienced on campuses”. Klue is also the founder and former chief executive officer of the South African Institute for Tax Professionals (http://www.thesait.org.za), the largest community of tax professionals in the country.
“SA universities are starting to capitalise on the digitalisation of classrooms”, adds Klue. The University of Cape Town (UCT) and UNISA have started to action private/public partnerships to offer courses jointly with the private sector.
According to Dr Diane Parker, acting deputy director general for universities at the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africans have to exploit ‘connected’ devices in the best possible way. On SA campuses, we have to ensure the proper infrastructure is in place to support the success of fundamental learning and ultimately continue to create support structures on both fronts.
“Approximately 30 percent of South African adults are connected to the internet either using a desktop computer or laptop. With the addition of smartphones, this number has increased to more than 50%”, says Schussler. He adds that online learning can be a cost-effective way to become more educated. “Almost everyone is ‘connected’ in some or other way. Having already braced international standards, it is an excellent, readily-available resource”.
Klue reiterates Schussler’s viewpoint and states that many South Africans are resourceful and resilient to improve their skills. “South Africans can use the technology to face current challenges, turn it into opportunities and broaden the education reach to millions more”, says Klue.
Klue identified the need to broaden the reach of accredited tertiary education, and established The Tax Faculty as a private tuition provider offering a virtual campus and classroom facilities to students wanting to become tax professionals. The Tax Faculty is an alternative to qualifying tax practitioners and provides the flexibility and adaptability of a virtual learning experience.
All UNISA short learning programmes are SAQA registered and credit bearing. For more information on the virtual campus experience and UNISA courses, visit www.taxfaculty.co.za