Matrics out in the cold
100,000 likely not to find space to study further in SA public varsities
More than 100,000 pupils who passed grade 12 in 2018 may not be able to study at a university in SA if the number of available spaces is anything to go by.
About 312,700 candidates achieved bachelor and diploma passes and are eligible to study at higher education institutions, while the 26 public universities can only provide access to about 210,801 new entrants.
Higher education and training minister Naledi Pandor said there were “limited spaces and great competition for some of the soughtafter programmes such as medicine, engineering and teaching”.
However, the department has developed the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) to assist prospective students facing challenges for a space.
Pandor said prospective students were well informed in 2018 that they needed to apply for university by closing dates (September/October).
“It is with distress that we have noted the irresponsible and dangerous calls for young people to flock to universities and demand entry.
“This call is without justification and the potential to disrupt the system and deny deserving students their rights to higher education and training.”
Pandor said firsttime entry spaces in public universities and also Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are subject to approved enrolment plans.
“This is important… [to] deliver quality higher education and avoid overcrowding.”