Unisa online - Stimulating debate on the future of higher education

Stimulating debate on the future of higher education

What are the challenges facing higher education in South Africa? Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Barney Pityana, and ANC Secretary-General, Mr Gwede Mantashe, shared their views and debated the topic at the University of Johannesburg’s Platform for Public Deliberation on 3 September 2008.

Both Prof Pityana and Mr Mantashe expressed concern about the current state of higher education in South Africa. The high drop-out rate of students at tertiary institutions, the failure of the current school system to produce the talent necessary for higher education, the skills shortage (especially the small number of qualified black people in the fields of science and technology) and the lack of accessibility to higher education were some of the issues raised.

Prof Pityana stressed that "higher education exists and survives at its best where freedom of expression, of religion, belief and opinion are guaranteed and where human dignity is the norm." He cautioned against a growing culture of intolerance that does not encourage debate or allow criticism.

Prof Pityana expressed his appreciation for the fact that government is making resources available for infrastructure. He said, however, that if the aspiration is to become a society of advancement and innovation in science and technology, and if universities are to engage meaningfully in human security and advancement, then the programme of improving facilities and improving access to higher education has to become a national priority.

In his address, Mr Mantashe acknowledged that transformation in higher education is not a simple matter and urged that several issues receive immediate attention. He questioned the outcome of the recent mergers between higher education institutions which, amongst others, led to the incorporation of the previous Vista University campuses into other universities and deprived many learners in townships from access to higher education.

Mr Mantashe also questioned whether the Department of Education should be split into two separate departments, with one focusing on primary and secondary education, and the other only on higher education. He concluded his address by saying that education will only fulfil its role if it breaks the chain of poverty.