Schools vs. Tertiary Institutions – The Gap

Schools vs. Tertiary institutions: THE GAP

Mike Roberts

The argument with regard to whether the school system adequately prepares a student for further education has been raging worldwide for many years. Many potential solutions have been attempted, the most popular being the college system adopted in the US and various parts of Europe. This would seem to make sense as it eases the transition from school child to student.

Many have asked why such a system has never been adopted in South Africa and it is an excellent question. I believe the answer relates to the costs involved in part and also with the education department who would not want to admit how inadequately prepared our matriculants actually are.

The costs of setting up such colleges in terms of suitable facilities, personnel and equipment are significant, but not insurmountable. The adjustments that would have to be made to the current curriculum with all the inconvenience for all concerned, particularly the students is also an important factor to be taken into account, but if you look at the disruptions caused by the largely ineffectual OBE system currently being employed, I believe the risk is worth it.

In spite of the changes to the system, which in theory are for the better, 1st year drop-out rates at tertiary institutions, particularly universities, have remained unacceptably high. The current attempt to upgrade the syllabus is counterproductive as it is only putting more pressure on overloaded and inadequately trained teachers. The education department may argue that matric pass rates are improving and while even this statement may be questionable, the big issue relates to the quality of a matric pass.

Language and numeracy skills among all learners are seriously on the decline as has been evidenced by a number of recent studies. These problems are increasing the pressure on tertiary students and effectively widening the GAP between school and universities. Many universities in particular have been forced to lower their admission requirements to not only obtain sufficient students, but also to be able to reflect the demographics of our diverse society. Once universities who are tasked with training our next generation of leaders are forced to lower their standards, our country’s development as a whole is being placed at risk and this is totally unacceptable.

I admit that there is no quick fix solution to this problem, but what I am saying is that people have to start looking for a solution before this problem gets totally out of hand if that is not already the case. I am not saying that introducing a college system is necessarily the best solution, but it is an option that should at least be publically investigated and not solely discussed in committees. Let us all be involved in finding the best solution for the youth of our country. Quality tertiary education is moving further and further out of reach of most of our youth which is causing us to lose out on the development of many potentially talented individuals.

The GAP between school and tertiary education is widening. Let us all work together to narrow this GAP, not only for the sake of our children, but also for our own sakes, as these are the people who will have to look after us one day when we are no longer able to work for ourselves.