ALBERTON- Free quality standardised education for all in South Africa needs to be carefully thought through. Should a free high quality education actually be afforded to all and sundry, with no strings whatsoever attached, even students who underperform and do not attend class or lectures at school or university level? To make a blanket statement on free university education is a popularist opinion which is currently not affordable in a fiscally stretched SA. Free university education is a notion that has not been carefully thought through and if at all implemented would need to be phased in over a decade or two.
It is easy for national leaders to simply state that this should happen, but our small developing economy faces many current challenges including a population of which almost 70 percent does not have medical aid or adequate hospital or medical cover.
In certain developed economies such as Canada, Australia and the UK free university tuition is given, but often there are clearly defined conditions attached. Free education is often only provided once the first year student in question has passed all their subjects at university and attended a high percentage of their classes. We live in a new democracy where we think everything should be provided mahala – water, lights, houses and education, with very little effort or associated discipline required from those receiving everything for free.
We make too many assumptions around free, and a lot of government rhetoric makes unrealistic free promises. The reality of life is that things are not mahala. Somewhere someone is normally paying for what others want for free. When we build big, lavish houses for politicians, normally it is you and I and the taxman that pay for it. Please remember most of us work hard for our money in the daily grind of the office environment. Most things in life worth accomplishing take discipline and commitment and a lot of sacrifice – they are not simply free. I hold six qualifications but despite being the son of a doctor, I had to take student loans and get bursaries to pay for my study fees costing over R120 000. I worked long hard hours and many part-time jobs to complete and pay for my studies. So no, not all the so-called privileged had an easy route to success.
The issue of affordability versus non-affordability is a critical issue too. Yes we do have many students from rural areas and impoverished backgrounds who really do struggle to pay their fees. One leading university in Johannesburg actually provides free meals to students who would otherwise arrive at school on empty stomachs. Wits and UJ are doing a lot to ease the plight of impoverished students, as I am sure many other institutions and colleagues countrywide in universities and colleges are doing too.
Recent Wits University indications are that approximately 13 000 out of their 32 000 students are not able to afford their studies. This tells a clear message that the affordability of post-school education is a critical issue which we need to address, debate and think through carefully. Going forward, solutions to help impoverished students need to be sought but please let’s not adopt a no-strings-attached approach. Students must attend class and pass and perform.
We need to make education an affordable and attainable option for all, with students bringing the associated discipline and effort required to match more affordable education. The current debate is a critical one for our nation as we move forward smartly and make our leaders accountable for their allocation of resources and the spending thereof. Education is one of the most critical first essential building blocks to creating wealthier and more successful communities.
Dr Craig Voortman
Educator, author, trainer and passionate South African
Related article: Free education is a noble thought but impossible
