Connecting Institutions to cross-over

UNIVERSITY FEES, LIVING EXPENSES and TRAVEL EXPENSES are the big drop out factors we have identified in universities in South Africa.

If you have a look at NSFAS study loans at some universities eg: UNISA, they only cover tuition, not accommodation or food. At others, eg: WITS, they cover study fees and accommodation – but not food. Despite the fact that many students are being given an opportunity to receive a tertiary education, the current study loan model does not succeed in sustaining its financial intervention, namely, it does not address the basic needs of many students who cannot afford accommodation fees plus food plus travel expenses while they are studying. So instead of enabling potential graduates, it is ironically adding to the student drop out rate.

Our idea is for government to introduce a new way to end the drop out rate in this area. I think the NSFAS should cover all the university fees for all less fortunate students who don’t have funds to pay for the basics.

Adjusting to the environment

There is a huge gap between high school and university, and it takes a long time for a student to adjust to the varsity environment as there is a lot of pressure.

Our idea is for high schools and universities to form a partnership whereby high school learners visit varsities often or at least once a month and get university students to mentor them. By so doing they will be getting used to the varsity atmosphere before they are out of matric.

Poor/no career guidance

Choosing a career is a very hard thing to do as a student – especially if you’ve had no career guidance in high school. Students get confused about what career to pursue and they end up choosing careers they don’t like, which adds to the university drop-out rate.

Our idea is for tertiary institutions to market their courses by visiting schools and hosting career guidance workshops more often. By doing so, students will have a better idea of what they enjoy and want to do. They must also distribute their prospectus to all schools within their region. Our team could also become career guidance trainers in order to help high school students make suitable choices.

Inspiration

My family and friends inspired me to do this as it also affected them and their studies. My older brother was in his 4^th year at UNISA but he dropped out because he couldn’t cover his accommodation fees. My younger sister dropped out last year due to insufficient study fees and my friend dropped out of WITS because he also couldn’t cover his accommodation fees.

Idea’s impact on SA

There will be fewer drop outs, as students will be getting all the support they need in terms of the full cover for varsity expenses, sufficient career guidance, and getting used to a varsity atmosphere. The S.A economy will grow because more people will be educated and be able to create jobs. It will end crime and drug abuse because more people will be studying and they won’t have time for substance abuse.

How to make our idea happen

A good partnership between the Department of Education, government, tertiary institutions and higher institutions; The full participation of students on career guidance and exposure to the university environment.

Team

Lucky Maduwa (Communication Science, UNISA)
Abongile Mvunyiswa (Afrika Tikkun Citizen Journalist)
Thabo Masenya (Afrika Tikkun Motivational Speaker)