NEHAWU CALLS FOR THE RELAXATION OF THE DRACONIAN ADMISSION CRITERIA BY TRADITIONAL UNIVERSITIES
NEHAWU has observed with concern the long lines around some universities as students who passed matric in 2010 are applying for openings to enrol for their further education studies. While we are celebrating the fact that there is an increase in the rate of those who qualified for entrance in a Bachelor's programme from 19.9% in 2009 to 23.5% in 2010 we are concerned that some universities are implementing more draconian admission criteria for 2011.
Stricter admission criteria do not signify high or sound higher education standards if anything they only reflect an elitist approach to education devoid of any developmental commitment to our society. In conjunction with financial exclusions, unreasonably stricter admission criteria are used to exclude learners from the poor and rural communities as part of the reproduction of an elitist higher education system. The long lines that we have seen prove to us that the historically black universities are the ones who are still carrying the burden of accommodating the disadvantaged students.
The union calls on traditional universities to ensure that they assist the students to access universities by offering access courses that allow students to enrol at their institutions even if they fall short of the required criteria. This does not mean that we are calling for standards to be lowered but we believe that it will be counterproductive to remain rigid while the schooling system that produces these matriculants is radically different and imperfect. These universities can spread the curriculum over a period of four years instead of three years so as to accommodate these students and respond to the call of "massification".
This also is an indictment on our Further Education and Training Colleges (FETC's) because their notoriety for lack of excellence and mediocrity is a major factor in discouraging students from furthering their education with them. They need to improve their communications because some students do not even know the programmes offered by FETC's.
There is also a need to strengthen and introduce career guidance in most schools and in the process encourage students to apply on time in order to avoid the frustration of last minute application. If we do not take seriously the issue of access to education for the previously disadvantaged we are promoting an army of the disillusioned ,unemployed and angry young people who will explode due to frustration.
NEHAWU wishes all students everything of the best in furthering their education in 2011 and also calls on all progressive businesses and businesspeople to help assist those students who are in need of financial assistance. Education should be our priority and we need to understand that the future of this country depends on educated, innovative and worldly young people who will be able to deal with the challenges of tomorrow.
"Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army" Edward Everett.
Statement issued by NEHAWU Secretariat Office, January 14 2011
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