Navigating the challenges of higher education for SA matriculants

JOB MARKET

- PROFESSOR VIMOLAN MUDALY

FOR matriculants, the choice of higher education and career pathways are more intimidating than any other challenge they will ever face. The landscape of tertiary education is undergoing rapid changes under the influence of globalisation, the digital revolution, and economic uncertainty.

Compounding the problem for these young children is the fact that the job market is becoming more competitive, with technology both creating new opportunities and displacing traditional roles. There are many challenges that matric pupils must consider as they transition to university or vocational education and prepare for entry into the labour market. Unfortunately, our challenges have been compounded by the intransigence of the governing party over the last 30 years.

Education should be a priority. It is not. Our children should be the priority. They are not. The future of our country should be a priority. Corruption is. So, there are some problems that matric pupils will experience as they negotiate the next few weeks. One of the most immediate challenges is the limited number of tertiary education places compared to the growing number of high school graduates.

There is no one-to-one relationship between the number of university spaces and the number of matriculants registered each year. Although this may be a global problem, South Africa’s demand far outpaces institutional capacity. Universities, unfortunately, often only prioritise merit-based selection, and in some instances, apply the quota system, leaving many qualified matriculants excluded due to resource constraints. Furthermore, the rising popularity of certain professional programmes creates bottlenecks, intensifying competition.