Will part-time learning prevail?

Official OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) statistics show that 20 – 25% of students in higher education are studying on a part-time basis. However, as Government and universities are no longer recognising them as a priority, part-time learning courses are in jeopardy. In order to lower youth unemployment, universities are under increasing pressure to absorb as many NEETS (not in education, employment, or training) as possible. As a result, mature and distance learners are suffering.

Nationally, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is one of the few institutions offering part-time learning courses, but due to lack of numbers and funding, they are being cut. The courses, which allow individuals to study for their chosen degree via evening or online classes, are in response to the fact that more and more people have the desire and the need to work whilst studying throughout their lives. Professor Slowy of UWC, proposed a typology of lifelong learners representing their heterogeneity, namely, second chance learners, deferrers, recurrent learners or later life learners.

According to Professor Shirley Walters, director of the Division for Lifelong Learning, UWC has become “the forefront in South Africa for lifelong learners”. The UWC prospectus outlines that it is “committed to lifelong learning, both as a philosophy and a practise”. Professor Brian O’Connell, rector and Vice-Chancellor, says that “UWC is keen to support such students by striving to be flexible and relevant” in the way they present their services.

Nathan Williams, part-time BA Law student at UWC explains, “my matric marks were very poor and I had all the wrong subjects for university”. However, Williams took the initiative to take a short course on Labour Law at UCT in 2004 which “changed his life”, as he found what he wanted to do. Williams then partook in CCMA training to understand Labour Law, a Diploma in Labour Relations Management through UNISA and in 2008 did a first year LLB at UNISA so he could go on to study at the law faculty at UWC.

“I have a fulltime job working in labour relations, two part-time jobs and I volunteer at various trade-unions to gain experience”, explains Williams, more than highlighting the fact that part-time students have to juggle their responsibilities, as well as concentrate on their studies. However, Professor Mark Abrahams of the DLL at UWC suggests that many of his students “strive because of these qualities”. Abrahams says that his students recognise the challenges they face and are “mature and hungry to learn”, unlike first year students “who are young and unprepared for higher education”.

With youth unemployment in South Africa reaching crisis point and fewer than 50% of current matriculants not holding a job before the age of 24, this level of motivation and positive attitude, amongst life-long learners, only highlights why it should be a priority.

According to Walters, “UWC has been the vanguard of education for working class people for over 50 years”. But Williams believes part-time learners are being “phased out of the system” because although the part-time law course is on-going for those who are registered, it is officially closed for any further applications. He goes on to state that the University “will suffer tremendous backlash” against this decision as it “goes against their principles and objectives” of being ‘the university of the people’.

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