Sabrina Dean -

Bloemfontein - Less than 50 percent of students who register for at public tertiary institution's obtain a qualification. The Council For Higher Education's director of monitoring and evaluation, Denyse Webbstock says added to that, roughly a quarter of students who register for a three year degree will complete it in the requisite time. She says although many continue with their studies, by the time six year time limit has elapsed only half will have completed their degree. She says the situation is even worse for diplomas with 16 percent finishing in the requisite time and about 40 percent within four years.

Webbstock says most students drop out in the first year because they struggle to make the transfer to higher education. She says government’s foundation programme has been successful, but the success is constrained because only 15 percent of students may be placed in the programme.