Nicola Branson: Post-secondary Education Enrolment


Speaking at a symposium on “Social Mobility and Inequality in South Africa” co-hosted by the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung South Africa Office, Dr. Nicola Branson talked about Post-secondary Education Enrolment.

There are high rewards for completing some form of post-secondary school in South Africa, but very low access to it, Dr. Branson said.

A staggering 60 out of 100 children that start school, drop out before reaching matric. Only 37 of the 100 will pass matric at all, whilst an even smaller percentage will have the quality of matric pass that allows them to study at university. Only 26% of the original group are managing to pass with a diploma or bachelors pass.

The fact that learners don’t get to matric is not due to lack of commitment. The NIDS data shows high repetition rates in all grades. Over 90% of 15 and 16 year olds are still enrolled at school. Over 80% of 17 and 18 year olds are enrolled at school. The problem is an inability to attain their matric pass.

Download Dr. Branson’s slide presentation (PDF).View the symposium’s programme (PDF).

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