99% of students that start school will not get a degree

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

Here are some of the reasons why students dropout of school and fail to graduate:

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

Here are the numbers involved as provided by Statistics South Africa

REASON FOR DROP-OUT	% 7 – 15-YEAR-OLDS	% 16 – 18-YEAR-OLDS
Disability	24.5	4.0
Poor performance	10.5	7.3
Lack of interest in school	9.3	7.1
Not accepted for enrollment	8.8	4.5
Illness	7.7	1.2
Lack of financial resources	6.8	28.7
Satisfied with the level attained	4.7	11.1
Failed exams	3.9	5.6
Too young/old	3.6	5.6
Already Working	1.4	4.1
Family commitment	1.3	7.1
Pregnancy	0.9	2.3
Do not have time for school	0.0	0.8
Education institution too far	0.0	0.1
Violence at school	0.0	0.1
Other	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
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University	R 500.00	R 47 000.00
University of Cape Town	R 300.00	R 39 200.00
Rhodes University	R 4 400.00	R 50 700.00
University of Limpopo	R 200.00	R 49 000.00
North-West University	R 650.00	R 47 000.00
University of Fort Hare	R 425.00	R 45 000.00
University of Venda	R 100.00	R 38 900.00
University of Pretoria	R 300.00	R 66 000.00
Stellenbosch University	R 100.00	R 43 380.00
University of Kwazulu-Natal	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:

ICB Business Management Courses

The ICB Business Management Programme has the following Courses:

ICB Office Administration Courses

The ICB Office Administration Programme has the following Courses: