Enhancing Higher Education Through Collaboration: Increasing Contributions of Private Colleges Glen Ngwenya: Dr. Irvin Kramchenkov
South Africa is at a pivotal point in its socio-economic development in relation to both education and the economy. There are thousands of gifted, committed graduates entering the country every year from high school. Many of these graduates arrive at universities with a great desire and ability to move forward in lifelong learning and to support their families through their education as well as to contribute to the growth of South Africa’s future economy. Unfortunately, a number of students who would benefit from attending a public university cannot due to the restrictions associated with how many students can attend a public university.
Increased competition and high unemployment have fuelled the demand for higher education among young people in South Africa. Public universities have traditionally been the main providers of higher education in South Africa; however, they often face challenges in accommodating the ever-growing demand for admission to public universities. Because of this, many students earn the right to attend a public university only to find out that there are no programmes available for them to attend.
The problem is bigger than just access to University spaces, as unemployment levels continue to remain exceptionally high in South Africa and the overwhelming amount of unemployed youth represent a substantial burden to our economy. Youth unemployment remains a key socio-economic issue in the country with its effects far reaching because, besides the impact on youth and their families, it also damages broader economic growth and social stability. Further compounding this situation are employers that serve a wide variety of industries stating that they are having great difficulty finding employees with the skills, competencies and readiness for work to meet the industry’s continually changing requirements.
Thus, the paradox is that we have both a high level of unemployment, and a significant shortage of skilled workers. Many young people are looking for work and industries and businesses alike are stating that there are substantially fewer graduates of sufficient quality to hire. The existing disconnect in this paradox calls for a comprehensive and dynamic educational system designed to produce the learning outcomes needed by the labour market.
To solve these two complex and interrelated challenges, we need to take a new approach to developing and scaling up education and training opportunities. As the pace of social and economic change has increased rapidly, traditional approaches may no longer provide for the kind of educational development required. Therefore, we need to explore the structures, partnerships and strategies that shape South Africa’s post-school education and training system.
As Dr Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister, explained: “In order to meet the challenges we face as a country we will need to think creatively and collaborate.
If we want to improve access to quality higher education and guarantee that our graduates have the necessary skills we will require cooperation between institutions to make this happen since no one institution will be able to tackle this challenge alone. It is essential that all parts work together so that we can develop the educational system and provide everyone with equal opportunities for success.
The government is a major partner in the development of new policies, providing regulation and support for equitable access to education. Public Universities provide the foundation for the higher education system by offering diverse academic and professional programs that are critical for the country’s future development. The scale of the problems facing the higher education system today make it impossible for public universities and the government to resolve these problems alone.
Private Higher Education Institutions are also important contributors to the overall educational system as they provide alternative pathways for students wishing to obtain a quality post-secondary education and frequently develop new methods of delivering instruction and engaging with employers in various industries. Therefore, Private Institutions cannot work alone to help achieve the larger national goals of providing access to education, developing the workforce and working toward the economic inclusion of all citizens in partnership with public institutions.”
The complexity of the South African post-school education and training (PSET) sector necessitates that all partners cooperate meaningfully to create a more effective and inclusive system. The roles of educational institutions, government departments, industry, employers, communities, and civil society are all critical to developing solutions that increase access to opportunities for students while also addressing the skills needs of the economy.
Dr Gondwe urged that instead of continuing to address private higher education institutions’ legitimacy or relevance, we now need to focus the discussion on their contribution to the system. She stated that the issue regarding whether private institutions fit within South Africa’s higher education system has been resolved. Through time, private providers have become established and integral aspects of the country’s educational ecosystem and have played an important role in increasing enrolment, increasing diversity of programmes, and developing skills.
Currently, thousands of students are attending private higher education institutions across a variety of disciplines and professions. Private higher education institutions provide access to many different programmes from business to information technology; healthcare to education; engineering to the arts. The growth of private higher education institutions has helped to increase the overall capacity of the education system, and offer opportunities for students who are unable to gain admission into public institutions.
According to Dr. Gondwe, the more appropriate and longer-term question is how institutions can work together better in a responsible way towards achieving shared national objective(s). Instead of competitive perspectives of sectoral activity, stakeholders should look at developing partnerships to build on joint capabilities and combine resources.
There are many different forms of collaboration possible. Two examples of such types of collaboration are between public and private institutions through creating shared best practice repositories, developing joint research projects, improving the relevancy of curricula, and creating stronger quality assurance mechanisms; and through developing academic programs in collaboration with private sector partners in order to create new academic programs that align with workforce demands and current economic trends as well as maintain consistent expectations between what is taught at school and what is expected from students in the workplace.
In addition to accelerating the employability of graduates, collaborative efforts between institutions can also improve students’ access to education who come from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This will involve providing more learning opportunities by introducing innovative delivery modalities, including online and blended learning so that all students throughout both urban and rural areas have options for their education.
Higher education offers numerous advantages, such as preparing individuals for the work force. Universities/colleges also serve as a place where students have access to opportunities that allow them to think critically, innovate, do research, engage civically, and develop socially; as well as providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in a democracy and create solutions for both local and global issues.
Lastly, in terms of sustainability of higher education in South Africa, higher education is connected to broader development outcomes. Quality education is the principle determinant of social mobility, enabling individuals to improve their socio-economic status through establishing a better quality of life and success, whether personally or professionally. Access to quality education can assist to eliminate disparities, enhance inclusion, and support sustainability of livelihoods.
The private higher education sector can contribute significantly to the accomplishment of these outcomes, when governed by principles of accountability, quality, and collaboration. The private high educational sector can be an important partner in the advancement of national development due to their ability to quickly respond to rapidly changing industry requirements, continuously innovate their methods of delivering education, and expand their capacity to deliver quality outcomes.
In any case, collaborative efforts should be founded upon the principle of maintaining high quality standards in academia and placing students’ interests ahead of any initiatives taken. The public’s trust in there educational programmes hinges on quality assurance, the adhering of rules/regulations and having ethical behaviour.
During these uncertain economic and social turbulent times for South Africa as We Know It are requiring a coordinated/inclusive approach to higher education. There is a clear linkage between expanding access to higher education, providing graduates with the necessary skills/competence, addressing skills shortages in the labour market, and fostering economic development; thus, it is apparent that there is no option but to work together collectively.
Moreover, Dr Gondwe’s comments highlight the criticality associated with having a common vision for higher education in South Africa that encompasses all the various stakeholders/actors affiliated with the education sector. If the education stakeholders work collaboratively to forge a more robust partnership amongst themselves (e.g., between government, public providers of higher education, private colleges/universities, employers, etc.), South Africa will be able to develop a resilient and responsive higher education system that is capable of meeting the needs of students and society.
South Africa must develop its higher education vision based on the collective recognition that the future of higher education in the country is dependent on whether or not the institutions and various stakeholders working within such institutions choose to work collaboratively towards achieving common objectives. By working collaboratively, innovatively, and with a commitment to excellence, South Africa can create increased opportunities for higher education, enhance the potential of its youth, further develop its workforce, and support inclusive economic development as a nation; this approach benefits not only the individual student but ultimately, the entire South African population by fostering a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future in South Africa for all.
