Friday, 16 March 2012

More University's in demand


Dr BE Nzimande, MP, during the launch of the Green Paper for Post-School Education and Training

South Africa is one of the developing countries in Africa, though the are some aspects we need to catch up on globally. One of those gap is in education. Minister of higher education Blade Nzimande sees a shortage of higher institute in South Africa. Whereas our country's population increases by foreign students , who come this side to get educated. As a result this increases the demand of more universities.

One of the places that needs a university institute is Mbombela in Mpumalanga, the residents there demand that President Jacob Zuma to keep up to his promise to build a university in Mbombela. Also the  Eastern Cape turned away 60 000 students. The four universities turned away more than 75%  applicants. In total the institutes received 76 966 applicant for 16 767 places and turned away 60 199 students.

The numbers were provided by the following universities:
  • Walter Sisulu University
  • Nelson Mandela  Metropolitan University
  • Rhodes University
  • University of Fort Hare
In his state of the Nation address on the 9 February 2012 the President stated that the R330 million would be allocated to build universities in Mpumalanga and Northen Cape. Three days later Minister Blade Nzimande of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET),  launched the Green Paper on Post-School Education and Training policy. The aim of the green paper is to improve access to education and training opportunities, strengthen the institutions to improve education quality, and build a post-school education and training system that is equitable, accessible and affordable to all sections of the population, including free education and training for the poor.

An important goal of government for the university is to support to the previously disadvantaged universities,mainly those in rural areas. This include improving the infrastructure as well as the quality of  teaching and research. This will improve the education system of South Africa.
http://www.polity.org.za/article/sa-statement-by-blade-nzimande-minister-of-higher-education-and-training-on-the-launch-of-the-education-green-paper-12012012-2012-01-12

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_South_Africa

17 comments:

  1. On the issue of the university in Mbombela Mpumalanga: I still get confused on how come that university haven't the university.

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    1. Mthokozisi,I think what you ment to ask was "how come a place called Mbombela in Mpumalanga does not have a university?" The reason for that is because the public did not make its request earlyer. Therefore the government did not see the need of building a university in Mbombela, where as the majority of students prefere going to higher institution located in town.The government was aware of the institution need and plans were made on where to build the university.

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  2. The government really needs to take care of this issue because at the end of the day, they complain about a high unemployment rate whereas they aren't plastering a foundation for employable people. Without universities; people cant obtain a proper education and without a proper education more people remain unqualified!

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  3. The government is implementing different strategies to improve the learning conditions.The 40% pass mark will increase in order for students to qualify for university entry.That is the duty of the Green Paper, to work with the society and create a brighter future.

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  4. There are Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) satellite campuses in Mpumalanga - eMalahleni and Mbombela.

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    1. Yes Vincentius, there are sub-systems for Tshwane University of Technology, Damelin, University of Johannesburg and UNISA. Which work hand in hand with the main system. In this case we talking about the Tshwane University of Technology based in Pretoria.For Mbombela the is no main university but sub-system universities.The government needs to build a university in Mbombela.

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  5. There are technical collenges as well that train people to be skilled workers. It's just that students look down upon technical collenges.

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  6. Sorry, correction: colleges not collenges.

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  7. Technical colleges offer a limited subjects and faculties.They are most popular known for enginnering studies.Yes they do provide skills and training, but this involves corporate to join hand with department of education, to give in more learnerships to improve the student skills.

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  8. Then Nokuthula, shouldn't we be advocating for more technical colleges that offer more technical subjects? South African economy needs technical skills, not social scientists. We have enough of those. I'm certain that 99.9% of the 75% that was turned away, wanted to do social sciences and, to a lesser extent, commercial and media degrees or diplomas. It will be more interesting to know whether the 75% applacants that was turned away met the necessary university entrance requirements.

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  9. We need institutions that produce not only employees but also employers. To understand what I'm referring to, determine the number of graduates who are unemployed or unemployable because they do not have the neccesary skills. How many graduates are geared towards establishing their own companies that can employ at least more than 100 people? Or should South Africa continue to be dependent on foreign direct investment? As South Africans, are we not responsible for creating jobs for our own people? If we are, why are we obsessed with an educational system that is too theoretical and offers too little in terms of applying that theoretical knowledge to address socio-economic problems faced by the majority of our people. Yes, we do need social scientists who are producers of knowledge, but there should be a balance between supply and demand. However, currently we have an over supply.

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  10. How will the government improve the quality of teaching,research, education and training?

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    1. Vincentius,last month (March) the was a n FET collages conference held in Pretoria South Afriea, Mr President Jacob Zuma said "We must therefore change the mindset in our society and enable FET colleges to become institutions of choice fo many young people, so that we can obtain much needed technical skills ". There are oganisations that want to work with FET colleges and provide scholarships.The institutes will register as many students as possible and the graduate rate will increase.While R2.5 billion was allocated for government colleges.

      South Africa is developing.

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  11. Vincentius, I have to disagree with you not only we need technical skills. South Africa also need those who have knowledge and skills in science, agriculture and other skills to develop this country.Most of the students that were turned away were students of different courses.Some of those students were taking chances in appliying at universities with low marks. Students should do research in their courses and up-grade their subjects in order to meet the university entrance.In he coporate world some government colleges are not highly recognised, therefore everyone want to go to university.For Example the University of Johannesburg is recognised for its Media, Business and Logistics courses.

    On the second note I agree with you that our country needs more employers.Though what are we going to do with employers and organisations that do not have employees that meet the qualification standards.Our government has progammes like Umsobomvu Youth Fund that provides capital to start your own business.

    Please do not blame the government for your own ignorance, organisations always have a need for fresh minds.We only need to work hard on our studies, because every now and then our government improves the learning system and introduce new curriculum.

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  12. Well, you must learn to argue your point without attacking the other person. Saying that someone is ignorant is not helping you argument, instead you are discouraging people following your blog from commenting. Some might even attack your views.

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  13. Please, quote one sentence, which reflects that I blame the government.

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  14. No, im not saying you are ignorant, please read with understanding and an open mind.Im saying some South African are ignorant.The information is out there.The government gives and we must take.

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