The Imperative for Expanding Private Tertiary Education

After 30 years of growing our democracy, there is plenty of expectation that South Africa needs to reclaim its position as the continent’s largest economy. While there are signs that the South African economy has turned a corner and that economic growth of above 1,5% (and possibly higher) is within our grasp, more can be done.

This will largely depend on South Africa’s primary, secondary, and tertiary education sectors, as well as the country’s ability to produce highly qualified professionals who will drive economic growth. However, the South African tertiary education sector is at a crossroads as public universities face significant challenges and students demand access to tertiary education.

“The burgeoning demand for tertiary education among young people starkly contrasts with the limited availability of seats in public institutions, underscoring the urgent need to bolster private higher education as a viable alternative. This is a strategic imperative we should all work towards,” says Professor Zaheer Hamid, MANCOSA Director and Chief Academic Officer.

A challenging landscape

Prof Hamid points out that recent data from Statistics South Africa reveals a commendable increase in access to quality education over the past decades. In 1996, only 6.6% of South Africans aged 25 and older had achieved a qualification following high school graduation. By 2022, this figure had nearly doubled to 12.7%. Similarly, high school graduates rose from 13.8% in 1996 to 35.4% in 2022. “While these statistics reflect progress, they also highlight a significant portion of the population still lacking access to opportunities to obtain a tertiary qualification,” says Prof Hamid.

The National Development Plan (NDP) ambitiously targets a tertiary education participation rate of 30% by 2030. However, current trajectories suggest that this goal may remain elusive without substantial interventions. Comparatively, South Africa’s tertiary education participation lags behind peer middle-income countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China, emphasising the necessity for strategic enhancements in the sector.

“With the above in mind, what is the future of tertiary education in South Africa? Public universities are constantly inundated with applications that far exceed their capacity. This imbalance leaves countless qualified high school graduates without placements. This directly shuts off the possibility of a brighter future for thousands of South Africans. The financial constraints and governance challenges faced by these institutions further exacerbate the situation, limiting their ability to expand infrastructure and accommodate the growing youth demographic,” says Prof Hamid.

Addressing the problem

How do we address the challenging landscape that tertiary education finds itself in? In this context, private higher education institutions emerge as pivotal players in addressing the accessibility gap. “Private tertiary education providers can significantly address this challenging landscape and grow the economy. MANCOSA is celebrating its 30th anniversary and has continually positioned itself as a key role player in democratising tertiary education,” says Prof Hamid.

He adds that another challenge facing tertiary education providers is the significant interest in certain qualifications and waning interest in others. The growth of technology and the expansion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have led to a substantial increase in interest in technology-based qualifications. “It is essential for tertiary education providers to position themselves as innovation hubs, offering a range of accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs tailored to meet the evolving needs of the global market. MANCOSA’s commitment to flexible learning solutions, including online education, caters to a diverse student body, many of whom balance studies with professional commitments. This adaptability broadens access and aligns with contemporary educational trends, ensuring that learning is both relevant and practical,” says Prof Hamid.

He notes that in a hyper-competitive work environment with a global competition for skills, professionals who exhibit a strong transferable skill set will stand out from the rest of the crowd. These skills include working independently without significant intervention from management, managing timelines to complete tasks within a specified timeframe, and collaborating with colleagues whom one may have never met or interacted with before to achieve an outcome. “Transferable skills are at the heart of distance-based education. Students are forced out of their comfort zone to study independently, often without immediate access to a lecturer or Academic who can help them. They often have to plan their studies around competing demands, such as work or family commitments, and must collaborate with other students they do not interact with on a daily basis to complete projects. This is one of the key values of private, distance-based education,” says Prof Hamid.

Collaborative role-players

Prof Hamid points out that the Government has a role to play in increasing the importance of private tertiary education. Interventions include:

• Financial Support Mechanisms: Establishing scholarships, bursaries, and affordable loan schemes can alleviate the financial burdens that deter many prospective students from enrolling in private institutions.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative ventures between government entities and private institutions can lead to resource sharing, infrastructure development, and increased enrolment opportunities.
• Regulatory Facilitation: Streamlining accreditation processes and providing incentives for private institutions can encourage the establishment of more institutions, particularly in underserved regions.
• Awareness Campaigns: Informing students and parents about the viable alternatives that private institutions offer can shift perceptions and highlight the quality and credibility of private education.

Strategic imperative

Expanding access to higher education is paramount as South Africa endeavours to rectify historical educational disparities and equip its youth for meaningful participation in the economy. This will put
South Africa on the map as the country builds itself up as one of the continent’s largest digital economies. This is also important from a global perspective, as Africa has the fastest-growing youth population.

“Through innovative approaches and flexible learning models, private institutions are well-positioned to complement public efforts in this mission. By embracing and investing in the growth of private higher education, the nation can take a decisive step toward a more inclusive and empowered future. Government should embrace this ideal and work towards achieving it as a strategic imperative,” Prof Hamid urges.

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