Rethinking higher education access: Time for a public-private pact

Matriculants should be celebrating the world of possibilities ahead, but for many, the dream of higher education collides with the harsh reality of limited access and overwhelming odds.

Each year, over 700 000 matriculants exit the school system. But South Africa’s 26 public universities can only accommodate a fraction of these school-leavers.

The result is rising frustration, unemployment, and a growing population of youth dubbed as “NEETs”—young people not in education, employment, or training. This is not just an education issue; it’s a socio-economic ticking time bomb.

For students who didn’t secure a place at a public university, Dr Riaan Steenberg of the NetEd Group suggests how their challenges may be addressed, collaboratively: ” South Africa’s future depends on how well we educate our youth. But that future cannot rest on public shoulders alone. It must be built through partnerships, across government, business, and civil society.” This will need to be a group effort, and the private sector has a significant role to play.

Constitutional reality vs public perception
South Africa’s Constitution draws a critical distinction in education rights: while basic education is an immediate and unqualified right, higher education is something the state must make “progressively available and accessible” through “reasonable measures.” This isn’t just legal semantics, it’s a realistic acknowledgment that expanding higher education capacity takes time, funding, and strategic collaboration.

Yet, in public discourse, tertiary education is often treated as a guaranteed right rather than an aspirational goal that hinges on collective responsibility. Earlier this year, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, stated: “We need to re-engineer our education system as a country. Are the programmes that we provide in our institutions responding to the economy? Are the graduates we are producing becoming successful? Is the industry willing to absorb the skills we provide? These are the discussions we need to have because we currently have 3.5 million young people who are neither in employment, education, nor training.”

Beyond access: The completion crisis
The problem extends beyond initial access. Of those fortunate enough to secure tertiary placement, only about 20% complete their degrees. This leaves thousands of students without qualifications yet burdened with substantial debt, South Africa’s outstanding university tuition debt now stands at R20 billion.

The human cost is devastating. Students drop out due to financial pressures, academic struggles, or inadequate support systems. Many join the growing ranks of the unemployed, with research showing graduate unemployment has doubled over the past 16 years – although these rates still pale in comparison to unemployment among those without a degree according to Stats SA.

The private sector’s untapped potential
While public institutions struggle with capacity constraints, private higher education institutions (PHEIs) like Eduvos backed by the NetEd Group, are already playing a crucial role in expanding access. Eduvos alone receives nearly 50 000 applications annually and recently broke its intake record by enrolling 20 000 students in its Block 1 2025 window.

Private higher education institutions like Eduvos offer several advantages:
– Multiple intake periods throughout the year, eliminating the need for students to wait an entire year to begin their studies.
– Learning models including hybrid on campus, online or distance options, full-time or part-time, that better prepare students for modern work environments.
– Industry-aligned education focused on employability with 68% placements and furthering studies of accessible graduates by graduation.
– Innovative funding solutions including flexible payment plans and extended repayment options.

Toward public-private partnerships
The solution to South Africa’s higher education challenges lies not in competition between public and private sectors, but in collaboration. We need to shift our thinking from viewing private institutions as alternatives for the privileged to recognising them as essential partners in building national capacity.
This requires:
Policy support that clearly articulates the role of private institutions in national development strategies
Expanded financial aid models that include students attending accredited private institutions
Greater collaboration between public and private institutions on research, innovation, and student pathways
Public awareness to correct misconceptions about private higher education
While academic partnerships are an essential starting point for transforming South Africa’s higher education landscape, true impact requires broader collaboration. This includes prioritising student wellness, offering quality and affordable accommodation, and unlocking funding for promising yet underserved learners.

At Eduvos, partnerships with financial institutions like Absa, Capitec Education Finance, Manati and Student Hero, along with professional bodies such as SAICA and CompTIA, deliver real value by expanding access and opening doors to meaningful opportunities for our students.

The path forward
The Department of Higher Education and Training is currently finalising feasibility studies for just two new public institutions, clearly insufficient to meet growing demand. Meanwhile, private institutions are ready to expand their contribution.

South Africa’s future depends on how well we educate our youth. By embracing a collaborative approach that recognises the complementary roles of public and private education providers, we can build a more inclusive, responsive, and effective higher education system, one that truly serves all qualified students, not just those lucky enough to secure one of the limited public university spots.

“The constitutional framework allows for this progress. Now we must make room for it in our policies, our funding models, and our national conversation about education,” concludes Dr Steenberg.