A dubious advantage

DEAR SIR — David Gleason and Michael Fridjhon have competently demolished the University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) outrageous attempt to justify its demographic policy on admissions (UCT claims invalid, Letters, May 29).

Following Business Day publishing responses on this subject, Gerda Kruger of UCT announced that changes in the discriminatory admissions policy were in the pipeline. A year later we learn that a matric aggregate of 60% will gain admission for black applicants while whites require 80%.

Tampering with pass and admission levels 19 years after democracy supposedly to “redress” either the present or the past dismal state of education, results in an even greater number of less-than-exceptional applications for tertiary level. It also adds impetus to the costly drop-out rate.

Do all black students need a dubious and insulting advantage like this? A nonracial selection on merit allowing us to graduate those with the highest potential is what SA needs. It’s going to require the best people to end any perceived disadvantage or solve our country’s performance problems including