The number of students who drop out of the South African school system is quite high. This has led to a low number of students who graduate. The following statistics can give you a clear picture of the situation:
- School dropout rates
- University dropout rates
School Dropout Rates
- Disability
- Poor performance
- Lack of interest in school
- Not accepted for enrollment
- Illness
- Lack of financial resources
- Satisfied with the level attained
- Failed exams
- Too young/old
- Already Working
- Family commitment, for example, child minding
- Pregnancy
- Do not have time for school
- Education institutions too far
- Violence at school
REASON FOR DROP-OUT |
% 7 – 15-YEAR-OLDS |
% 16 – 18-YEAR-OLDS |
|
24.5 |
4.0 |
|
10.5 |
7.3 |
|
9.3 |
7.1 |
|
8.8 |
4.5 |
|
7.7 |
1.2 |
|
6.8 |
28.7 |
|
4.7 |
11.1 |
|
3.9 |
5.6 |
|
3.6 |
5.6 |
|
1.4 |
4.1 |
|
1.3 |
7.1 |
|
0.9 |
2.3 |
|
0.0 |
0.8 |
|
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
0.0 |
0.1 |
|
16.8 |
11.5 |
Total |
100 |
100 |
University Dropout Rates
According to SA Varsity Student, in South African universities, it is common that students drop out after their first year of study. It has been found that 50-60 percent of South African students drop out during their first year of study. Here are some reasons why students fail to graduate:
- Lack of financial resources
- Work commitments
- Family commitments
- Academically ill-prepared
- Abusing the new-found freedom
- Choosing the wrong course
- Family expectations
- Personal emergencies
Lack Of Financial Resources
University can be expensive. Financial pressure can force one to quit University. When people plan for University, in most cases, they plan about fees and accommodation.
It is when you realise that you were not financially prepared for University that the going gets tough. This is when some decide to quit or postpone their studies. In most cases, the following is not properly budgeted for:
- Transport
- Textbooks
- Stationery and equipment, for example, laptop, flash drive
- Entertainment
- Toiletries
- Pocket money
Work Commitments
Some study while they are also working. The reason to work while studying is to make a living for yourself. You may also work so that you finance your studies. The demands of the job may affect your ability to commit to your studies. When the demands of your job overwhelm you, you may decide to quit your studies. You may consider resuming your studies when the time is convenient.
Family Commitments
Family commitments may force one to reconsider continuing with University studies. Family commitment can come in various forms. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Sickness in the family
- Working more hours in order to meet the family’s financial commitments
- Spending more time with the family
Academically Ill-Prepared
University is far more demanding than school. Some students may fail to keep up with the pace. In school, a Teacher is there to keep you accountable. At University, Lecturers only explain concepts, which you have to figure out how to learn yourself.
Abusing The New-Found Freedom
Many students are not prepared for this new freedom. They begin to overindulge in the social aspects of the University experience. This often includes the overuse of alcohol and drugs. When this happens, grades begin to drop as school attendance and studies are neglected. This can eventually lead to dropping out of College or University
Choosing The Wrong Course
As you progress with your studies, you can begin to understand that you have chosen the wrong course. This can be a reason for stopping your studies.
Family Expectations
Failing to keep up with family expectations can force one to drop out. This is especially so if you are the first one in your family to go to University. The pressure that you get from your family’s expectations can demotivate you. This can lead to you quitting or taking a break
Personal Emergencies
In unexpected ways, life tragedies may strike, and you are forced to change your plans accordingly. This can include the death of a breadwinner in the family. The breadwinner could have been the sponsor of your University education.
What Stops Students From Going To University?
- The cost of getting a degree
- Decreasing job prospects for graduates
- Style of learning
- Ready to start earning
The Cost Of Getting A Degree
Here are the annual fees for some Universities in South Africa:
UNIVERSITY | APPLICATION FEE | TUITION FEE / YEAR |
R 500.00 | R 47 000.00 | |
R 300.00 | R 39 200.00 | |
R 4 400.00 | R 50 700.00 | |
R 200.00 | R 49 000.00 | |
R 650.00 | R 47 000.00 | |
R 425.00 | R 45 000.00 | |
R 100.00 | R 38 900.00 | |
R 300.00 | R 66 000.00 | |
R 100.00 | R 43 380.00 | |
R 200.00 | R 47 000.00 |
Decreasing Job Prospects For Graduates
Some students are not keen to go to University because of the decreasing job prospects for graduates in South Africa. In years gone by, it was a given that having a Degree was an assurance of one securing employment. This is no longer the case.
Style Of Learning
The type of learning in College and University is unlike the one in High School. In University, you do most of the work yourself. Lecturers are only there to guide you in your learning. If this style of learning is not for you, you might fight the going getting tough. It has also discouraged other students from avoiding going to University.
Ready To Start Earning
Some students do not go to University because they think they are ready for work. In some cases, this can be a willful decision. In other cases, this can come about because of family circumstances. Perhaps to work in order to be the breadwinner. Others opt for work because of a lack of affordability to fund their University education.
What Are Barriers To Student Success?
The following are the barriers to most students’ success:
- Being disorganised
- Lack of family support
- No time management skills
- Lack of motivation
- Poverty
- Behavioural issues
- Learning distractions
- Huge class sizes
Can You Be Successful Without A Degree?
Yes, you can be successful without a Degree. Matric College offers rewarding scarce skills courses you can study through distance learning. Here are some of the courses that you can study at Matric College:
ICB Courses
Here are the ICB Courses that you can study:
ICB Financial Accounting Programme
The ICB Financial Accounting Programme has the following Courses:
- Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate
- Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
ICB Business Management Courses
The ICB Business Management Programme has the following Courses:
- Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
- Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma
ICB Office Administration Courses
The ICB Office Administration Programme has the following Courses:
- Office Administration: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate
- Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
NATED Courses
Here are the NATED Courses that you can study:
- Business Management Courses
- Marketing Management Courses
- Management Assistant Courses
- Human Resources Management Courses
- Financial Management Courses
- Educare Courses
- Legal Secretary Courses
Business Management Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Business Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Business Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Business Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Business Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
Marketing Management Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Marketing Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
Management Assistant Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Management Assistant NATED N4 National Certificate
- Management Assistant NATED N5 National Certificate
- Management Assistant NATED N6 National Certificate
- Management Assistant NATED N6 National Diploma
Human Resources Management Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Human Resource Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
Financial Management Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Financial Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Financial Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
- Financial Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
- Financial Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
Educare Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Educare NATED N4 National Certificate
- Educare NATED N5 National Certificate
- Educare NATED N6 National Certificate
- Educare NATED N6 National Diploma
Legal Secretary Courses
Here are the courses that you will study:
- Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma
You can also gain your Matric Certificate by completing any of our Matric Courses:
How Do I Register With Matric College?
There are four different ways that you can use to register with Matric college. Here they are:
- Contacting us on our landline
- Complete a registration form online
- Book a callback
- Contact our Course Experts directly
This article was originally written on the 29th of October 2016. Read the original article.
Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date Published: August 15, 2022