Studying at university is not the only path to success

IF I’M not mistaken, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the only president in the world who is without matric.

Many presidents in the world have either junior degrees or postgraduate qualifications. But that’s a topic for another day.

Nowadays having a matric is no longer enough. You at least need a post-matric qualification – if not a masters degree – to stand a better chance of having a well paying job. Other- wise, you will struggle to have a better job.

But I digress. Many matriculants prefer to study at a university. There is a persistent perception that having a degree is a key to a bright future– which is not entirely true. There are many university graduates who are unemployed and sitting at home.

University fees are exorbitant. The unaffordable higher fees have resulted in the #FeesMustFall campaign at many universities.

FETs are an alternative for matriculants who want to further their studies but don’t qualify for university or lack finance. Access is easy and fees are reasonable. The govern- ment is also pumping a lot of money into these institutions.

Yet matriculants disregard FETs and don’t see them as an alternative. The government doesn’t promote FETs enough, if at all. There is also a lack of disci- pline in these institutions. Not forgetting the issue of unqualified lecturers as a result of nepotism.

Chaos reigns there. The other day a friend related his sister’s story to me. His younger sister studied at an FET, four years ago. To date, she’s yet to get her exam results. He’s tried everything – including writing to the minister of higher education – trying to help his sister get her results but to no avail. He has given up.

Regardless, it is still my considered view that FETs are an alternative for matriculants. They can make the most out of their qualifications, despite the challenges facing these institutions.

During the height of apartheid, Bantu education was inferior and limited the majority of people to certain careers. Yet some made the most out of it and became top lawyers, doctors, chief executives and so on. In their quest to further their studies, matriculants should also consider FETs.

For the record, I’m not in any way making a case against studying at a university. All I’m trying to do is to dispel the myth that having a degree is the only academic way to a better future. There are many ways to succeed other than studying at a university. Thabile Mange

FETs are an alternative for matriculants