South Africa’s Devastating School Drop Out Rate

There is a big drop-out rate in the South African education system. About 250 000 school-going children, drop out of school every year. We explore the causes.

There is a devastating drop-out rate in the South African education system. According to the UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Education Fund), about 250 000 school-going children drop out of school every year. This figure tripled to 750 000 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some of the reasons why children drop out of school:

  • Disability 
  • Poor performance
  • Lack of interest in school
  • Not accepted for enrolment
  • 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 institution too far
  • Violence at school

What Is The Drop-Out Rate In South Africa?

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has put the drop-out rate at between 42- 56%. Here are the drop-out rates (2018) of the different age groups as provided by Statistics South Africa:

REASON FOR DROP-OUT

%

7 -15-YEAR-OLDS

%

16 – 18-YEAR-OLDS

  • Disability 
24.54.0
  • Poor performance
10.57.3
  • Lack of interest in school
9.37.1
  • Not accepted for enrolment
8.84.5
  • Illness
7.71.2
  • Lack of financial resources
6.828.7
  • Satisfied with the level attained
4.711.1
  • Failed exams
3.95.6
  • Too young/old
3.65.6
  • Already Working
1.44.1
  • Family commitment
1.37.1
  • Pregnancy
0.92.3
  • Do not have time for school
0.00.8
  • Education institution too far
0.00.1
  • Violence at school
0.00.1
  • Other
16.811.5
Total100100

What Percentage Of South Africa Is Educated?

Here are the statistics as provided by cornerstone.ac.za to the numbers of South African holding higher qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS

%

  • University Degrees (Bachelor’s Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Honours Degrees, Master’s Degrees and PhDs

6

6

TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) Certificates

3.4

Total 

15.4 

What Are The 5 Causes For Students To Drop Out From University?

There are more than 5 causes why students drop out of university. Here are some of the reasons why students drop out of University:

    1. Lack of financeUniversity can be expensive. Financial pressure can force one to quit University. When people plan for University, in most cases, the plans are about fees and accommodation. Budgeting for the following is not properly accounted for:
      • Transport
      • Textbooks
      • Stationery and equipment, for example, laptop, flash drive 
      • Entertainment
      • Toiletries  
  • Work and family commitments – Some study while they are also working. The reason to work while studying is to make a living for yourself and your family. You may also work so that you finance your studies.  The demands of the job may affect your ability to commit to your studies.
  • Not being academically 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 in-depth concepts, which you have to figure out how to learn yourself. 
  1. Abusing campus 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. Personal emergencies – In unexpected ways, life tragedies may strike, and you are forced to change your plans accordingly. 

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.

What Are The Effects Of Dropping Out Of School?

Here are some of the effects of dropping out of school:

  • Unemployment – When you drop out of school, your chances of remaining unemployed are high
  • Lower income – As a school drop-out, even when you get employed, you are most likely to have a lower income
  • Incarceration – Being jailed is more likely for High School drop-outs. This is because young people look for ways to fill in their time, and they look for “easy ways” to make money. This leads them to resorting to stealing.
  • Missed opportunities –  Another effect of dropping out of High School is missing the different opportunities that come as a result of finishing school. High School is a good place to explore academic interests, play sports and meet friends.

Which Province Has The Highest Matric Pass Rate In South Africa in 2021?

The Free State had the highest Matric pass rate in South Africa. Here is a table of the Matric pass rate achieved by the nine (9) South African provinces: 

PROVINCE 

MATRIC PASS RATE  2021 

(%)

% (+/-)
  • Free State
85.7+ 0.6
  • Gauteng
82.8– 1
  • Western Cape
81.2+1.3
  • North West
78.2+2.0
  • KwaZulu-Natal
76.8– 0.8
  • Mpumalanga
73.6– 0.1
  • Eastern Cape
73+ 4.9
  • Northern Cape
71.4+ 5.4
  • Limpopo
66.7– 1.5

What Is The Number One University In South Africa?

The University ranked number one in South Africa is the University of Cape Town. Here are the top 10 Universities in South Africa in 2021 – 22:

INSTITUTION NATIONAL RANKING WORLD RANKING
University of Cape Town 1268
University of the Witwatersrand298
Stellenbosch University3187
University of KwaZulu-Natal4375
University of Pretoria5778
University of Johannesburg61035
North-West University7Not Ranked
University of the Free State8Not Ranked
University of the Western Cape9Not Ranked
Rhodes University10900

Is There Still Inequality In Education In South Africa?

Yes, there is still inequality in schools in South Africa. There are wealthy schools in South Africa which are comparable to the best in the world. There are still children from poor backgrounds who continue to sit in overcrowded classrooms with crumbling floors and broken windows. Here, pit latrines are still in use.

Which Country Has The Highest Drop Out Rate?

Here are the 10 countries with the highest drop-out rate:

 COUNTRY
1.Chad
2.Rwanda 
3.Uganda
4.Equatorial Guinea
5.Malawi
6.Ethiopia
7.Madagascar
8.Mozambique
9.Togo
10.Central African Republic

Which African Countries Have The Best Education?

Here are the 10 African countries with the best education:

  1. Seychelles
  2. South Africa
  3. Mauritius
  4. Tunisia
  5. Kenya
  6. Algeria
  7. Ghana
  8. Egypt
  9. Namibia
  10. Libya 

If you are looking to complete your Matric and you are 21 or older, you can complete the Adult Matric Course at Matric College. We are a distance learning college that provides Matric Courses to students from the comfort of their homes. This means that there are no physical classes and all assignments will be completed online.

The only time students need to be at a physical venue is when they are writing their final exam.

If you have already completed Matric and you have either failed or need to improve your marks, you can apply for our Matric Upgrade Course.

Start your Matric journey at Matric College, and become successful today!

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 02, 2022