The results of the final pilot phase of the National Benchmark Tests Project, reflecting dismal levels of literacy amongst university students, show that we need some urgent changes to the structure of tertiary education and to immigration restrictions.

We also need the full results of this study to be released, so that we have a better idea of how the different universities compare against each other. The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be asking parliamentary questions to get the results of the three universities whose results have not been released.

The current tertiary education system recognises only one form of publicly funded post-matric learning institution - the university. This in no way reflects South Africa's conditions, or the needs of our students, as this report shows.

As a result universities are diverting enormous resources from their primary functions to develop often unsuccessful programmes to help under-prepared students. This is neither good for universities nor for the students.

The DA proposes that Further Education and Training colleges should be exponentially expanded and grown to absorb many capable students in the more vocational areas. Universities should focus on graduating students who are admitted on merit.

At the same time, the number of students who have the ability to acquire masters and doctoral degrees is too small to meet South Africa's needs, and we therefore need to urgently find ways to recruit individuals from elsewhere.

As a first step, immigration restrictions make it incredibly difficult for even skilled South Africans to enter South Africa. The DA believes that anyone who has a postgraduate degree and no criminal record should be automatically entitled to a work permit in South Africa.

Ultimately, the solution lies in better schooling, but this is a long term goal, and in the meantime we need immediate solutions.

Statement issued Dr Wilmot James MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of higher education and training, August 12 2009

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