1 PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: A small scale investigation of scholar’s...

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PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS:TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS:

A small scale investigation of scholar’s A small scale investigation of scholar’s perceptions in the Nelson Mandela perceptions in the Nelson Mandela

MetropoleMetropole

By Joleen Steyn Kotze & Chantel HarrisBy Joleen Steyn Kotze & Chantel Harris

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONA university, as defined by the New Collins Concise English A university, as defined by the New Collins Concise English Dictionary, can be defined as an institution of higher education Dictionary, can be defined as an institution of higher education having the authority to award bachelors’ and higher degrees, usually having the authority to award bachelors’ and higher degrees, usually having research facilities. having research facilities. A private tertiary institution would be one that is under the financial A private tertiary institution would be one that is under the financial and managerial control of a private body, accepting mostly fee-and managerial control of a private body, accepting mostly fee-paying learners (Adapted from private school in the New Collins paying learners (Adapted from private school in the New Collins Concise English Dictionary). An example of a private tertiary Concise English Dictionary). An example of a private tertiary institution is Damelin or Varsity College.institution is Damelin or Varsity College.A public tertiary institution can be described as an institution of A public tertiary institution can be described as an institution of higher education maintained at the expense of, serving for or for the higher education maintained at the expense of, serving for or for the use of a community (Adapted from the New Collins Concise English use of a community (Adapted from the New Collins Concise English Dictionary). Furthermore, public universities are subsidised by the Dictionary). Furthermore, public universities are subsidised by the government and are therefore under the scrutiny of the Department government and are therefore under the scrutiny of the Department of Education. An example of a public university is the Nelson of Education. An example of a public university is the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University or the University of Cape Town.Mandela Metropolitan University or the University of Cape Town.

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TERTIARY EDUCATION IN SATERTIARY EDUCATION IN SA

Plagued by many challengesPlagued by many challenges– 40 years worth of segregated education 40 years worth of segregated education

needs to be amended in a short space of timeneeds to be amended in a short space of time– At the same time competing on a global level, At the same time competing on a global level,

including technological advancement, etc.including technological advancement, etc.– Tertiary education was dominated by racial Tertiary education was dominated by racial

segregationsegregation– Up to the current government to attempt Up to the current government to attempt

massification of education by opening doors massification of education by opening doors to allto all

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TERTIARY EDUCATION IN SA TERTIARY EDUCATION IN SA

Lodge (2002:69)Lodge (2002:69)– Better-educated, more productive workers Better-educated, more productive workers

seem a remote prospect given the recent seem a remote prospect given the recent trend of deteriorating matriculation results, trend of deteriorating matriculation results, along with the government’s failure to improve along with the government’s failure to improve the quality of public educationthe quality of public education

– Corruption Corruption – This can only harm the labour marketThis can only harm the labour market

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National Plan for Higher EducationNational Plan for Higher Education– Satisfy national growth and development Satisfy national growth and development

goalsgoals– While achieving equity with respect to both While achieving equity with respect to both

learner output and accesslearner output and access– Key element in the agenda for change i.e. Key element in the agenda for change i.e.

transformationtransformation– Encapsulating the principle of Encapsulating the principle of ubuntuubuntu

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The Tertiary Education PlanThe Tertiary Education Plan

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The issue of qualityThe issue of quality– Dominating in 2005Dominating in 2005– Castrillon (2005:44)Castrillon (2005:44)

Both public and private tertiary institutions are Both public and private tertiary institutions are under pressure to ensure successful graduate under pressure to ensure successful graduate employment statistics employment statistics

Seems a bleak possibility especially in light of Seems a bleak possibility especially in light of jobless growthjobless growth

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The issue of quality educationThe issue of quality education

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Business community concernsBusiness community concerns– Brain DrainBrain Drain– Inadequately skilled labour forceInadequately skilled labour force

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METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY

Exploratory in natureExploratory in natureDescriptive in that it aims to describe the Descriptive in that it aims to describe the results results Operates in the field of perceptionsOperates in the field of perceptions– Perceptions are the creation of reality for Perceptions are the creation of reality for

individualsindividuals– What do scholars in Grade 11 and Grade 12 What do scholars in Grade 11 and Grade 12

regard as their reality when dealing with regard as their reality when dealing with public and private tertiary institutionspublic and private tertiary institutions

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Two public schools and one private SchoolTwo public schools and one private School

Challenges includedChallenges included– Time restrictions – especially at the private Time restrictions – especially at the private

schoolsschools– Public schools rushing learners to complete Public schools rushing learners to complete

the survey – inadequate time to read the the survey – inadequate time to read the survey carefullysurvey carefully

– Confusion regarding what is private and what Confusion regarding what is private and what is public tertiary institutionsis public tertiary institutions

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Selection of items in surveySelection of items in survey

Which institution is better with regard to the Which institution is better with regard to the followingfollowing

Public Tertiary Public Tertiary InstitutionInstitution

Private Private Tertiary Tertiary Institution Institution

Better quality educationBetter quality education

Higher standardsHigher standards

Qualified lecturersQualified lecturers

Study friendly and education – conducive Study friendly and education – conducive environmentenvironment

AffordabilityAffordability

Wide variety in the selection of coursesWide variety in the selection of courses

Better facilities Better facilities

Safe environmentSafe environment

Good, healthy student lifeGood, healthy student life

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METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGYTotal of 512 questionnaires completed successfullyTotal of 512 questionnaires completed successfullyGender Gender – 56 % female56 % female– 43 % male43 % male– 1 % did not denote their gender1 % did not denote their gender

RaceRace– 25 % Black25 % Black– 14 % Coloured14 % Coloured– 10 & Indian/Asian10 & Indian/Asian– 50 % White50 % White

AgeAge– 25 % 16 year olds25 % 16 year olds– 46 % 17 year olds46 % 17 year olds– 23 % 18 year olds23 % 18 year olds– 4 % 19 year olds4 % 19 year olds– 1 % 20 year olds1 % 20 year olds

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Data AnalysisData Analysis– Frequency DistributionFrequency Distribution– Data presented as inclusive statistics – no Data presented as inclusive statistics – no

differentiation at this point in time regarding differentiation at this point in time regarding the different gender, race and age groupsthe different gender, race and age groups

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THE NEED FOR A PRIVATE THE NEED FOR A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN THE NMMUNIVERSITY IN THE NMM

Uncertainty regarding the need for a new private tertiary Uncertainty regarding the need for a new private tertiary institutioninstitution

Confusion regarding the difference between public and Confusion regarding the difference between public and privateprivate

Figure 1:Figure 1: Does the NMM need a private university? Does the NMM need a private university?

YES

39%

NO23%

UNSURE

38%

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QUALITY EDUCATIONQUALITY EDUCATION

Quality education and high standards refers to Quality education and high standards refers to excellence in educating learners, so that by the excellence in educating learners, so that by the time they graduate these individuals are well-time they graduate these individuals are well-rounded and thoroughly grounded, skilled and rounded and thoroughly grounded, skilled and

competent, creative, flexible and adaptive to new competent, creative, flexible and adaptive to new challenges. challenges.

The perception from the sample is that education The perception from the sample is that education is of a higher quality at private tertiary is of a higher quality at private tertiary

institutionsinstitutions

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QUALITY EDUCATION cont…QUALITY EDUCATION cont…

n = 512n = 512

Figure 2:Figure 2: Perceptions of quality education Perceptions of quality education

PRIVATE

72%

PUBLIC

23%

BOTH3%

UNANSWERED2%

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STANDARD OF EDUCATIONSTANDARD OF EDUCATIONThere is the perception by scholars that private tertiary There is the perception by scholars that private tertiary

institutions have higher standards than public institutions have higher standards than public tertiary institutionstertiary institutions

n = 512n = 512Figure 3:Figure 3: Perceptions of the standard of education Perceptions of the standard of education

PRIVATE

78%

PUBLIC

17%

BOTH3%

UNANSWERED2%

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QUALIFIED LECTURERSQUALIFIED LECTURERS

Qualified lecturers are those individuals Qualified lecturers are those individuals teaching in tertiary education, that are teaching in tertiary education, that are

committed to their vocation by constantly committed to their vocation by constantly advancing advancing their skills, knowledge and their skills, knowledge and

expertise, through research and expertise, through research and community service in their particular field. community service in their particular field.

Focussing on how the expertise of lecturers Focussing on how the expertise of lecturers is viewed by scholarsis viewed by scholars

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QUALIFIED LECTURERS cont…QUALIFIED LECTURERS cont…

n = 512n = 512

Figure 4:Figure 4: Perceptions of competence of lecturers Perceptions of competence of lecturers

PRIVATE

56%

PUBLIC

35%

BOTH6%

UNANSWERED3%

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STUDENT-FRIENDLY & EDUCATION-STUDENT-FRIENDLY & EDUCATION-CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENTCONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT

This refers to the aspects a university must This refers to the aspects a university must incorporate in the environment to ensure incorporate in the environment to ensure quality education that is both user-friendly quality education that is both user-friendly

and conducive to a quality education. and conducive to a quality education.

Students should have easy access to: Students should have easy access to: adequate facilities e.g. computers, bathrooms adequate facilities e.g. computers, bathrooms services e.g. counselling, health services services e.g. counselling, health services right to consultation e.g. with lecturersright to consultation e.g. with lecturers

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STUDENT-FRIENDLY & EDUCATION-STUDENT-FRIENDLY & EDUCATION-CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT cont…CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT cont…

n = 512n = 512Figure 5:Figure 5: Perceptions of a student-friendly & education- Perceptions of a student-friendly & education-

conducive environmentconducive environment

PRIVATE

38%

PUBLIC

55%

BOTH

4%

UNANSWERED

3%

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AFFORDABILITYAFFORDABILITY

Affordability is defined as the ability to do Affordability is defined as the ability to do something without incurring financial difficulties something without incurring financial difficulties

or without the risk of undesirable consequences or without the risk of undesirable consequences

(New Collins Concise English Dictionary). (New Collins Concise English Dictionary).

In essence, an average person should have the In essence, an average person should have the disposable income to be able to pay for their disposable income to be able to pay for their

own or their dependent’s studies without own or their dependent’s studies without incurring financial difficulty. incurring financial difficulty.

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AFFORDABILITY cont…AFFORDABILITY cont…

n = 512n = 512Figure 6:Figure 6: Perceptions of affordability Perceptions of affordability

BOTH2%

UNANSWERED2%

PRIVATE14%

PUBLIC

82%

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COURSE SELECTION & VARIETYCOURSE SELECTION & VARIETY

This refers to giving prospective students the opportunity to This refers to giving prospective students the opportunity to choose from a diverse range of courses to develop a choose from a diverse range of courses to develop a

curriculum that suits their future career path.curriculum that suits their future career path.

The sample has indicated that the variety and selection The sample has indicated that the variety and selection of courses in public tertiary institutions surpass those of courses in public tertiary institutions surpass those found in private tertiary institutions. found in private tertiary institutions. Comments reflected a desire to have courses presented Comments reflected a desire to have courses presented by private tertiary institutions locally which are not by private tertiary institutions locally which are not catered for by public tertiary institutions e.g. medical field catered for by public tertiary institutions e.g. medical field Private tertiary institutions are viewed as having a limited Private tertiary institutions are viewed as having a limited number of courses aimed at a select few. number of courses aimed at a select few.

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COURSE SELECTION & VARIETY cont…COURSE SELECTION & VARIETY cont…

n = 512n = 512

Figure 7:Figure 7: Perceptions of course selection and variety Perceptions of course selection and variety

PRIVATE32%

PUBLIC62%

BOTH3%

UNANSWERED3%

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QUALITY OF FACILITIESQUALITY OF FACILITIES

Good facilities should comprise of the following:Good facilities should comprise of the following:An up-to-date library, consisting of contemporary journals, books An up-to-date library, consisting of contemporary journals, books and media including new sources of information such as digital and media including new sources of information such as digital databases. databases. Computer centres should have an adequate number of Computer centres should have an adequate number of workstations, with internet access and e-mail connections. workstations, with internet access and e-mail connections. The cafeteria should serve healthy refreshments that cater for all The cafeteria should serve healthy refreshments that cater for all cultures and religions. cultures and religions. The university should be easily accessible for individuals with The university should be easily accessible for individuals with disabilities e.g. Lifts, ramps and wider passages.disabilities e.g. Lifts, ramps and wider passages.Reasonable sports fields should be available to ensure that Reasonable sports fields should be available to ensure that students can participate in their desired sport either socially or students can participate in their desired sport either socially or professionally. professionally.

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QUALITY OF FACILITIES cont…QUALITY OF FACILITIES cont…

n = 512n = 512Figure 8:Figure 8: Perception of quality of facilities Perception of quality of facilities

PRIVATE63%

PUBLIC31%

BOTH4% UNANSWERED

2%

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SAFETYSAFETYA safe environment refers to one that complies with health A safe environment refers to one that complies with health

and safety regulations i.e. one that has proper sanitation, and safety regulations i.e. one that has proper sanitation, is clean and free from pollution, risk of injury, danger and is clean and free from pollution, risk of injury, danger and

violence. Furthermore, the university should uphold violence. Furthermore, the university should uphold values such as respect, equality, tolerance and valuing values such as respect, equality, tolerance and valuing

diversity. diversity.

Private tertiary institutions are perceived as much safer Private tertiary institutions are perceived as much safer than public tertiary institutions, with 74 percent agreeing than public tertiary institutions, with 74 percent agreeing that private tertiary institutions are safer. that private tertiary institutions are safer. Society tends to downplay the impact that the media has Society tends to downplay the impact that the media has on this particular perception e.g. the media has on this particular perception e.g. the media has sensationalised protest action at public tertiary sensationalised protest action at public tertiary institutions as violent and unruly, enforcing a perception institutions as violent and unruly, enforcing a perception of a dangerous environment. of a dangerous environment.

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SAFETY cont…SAFETY cont…

n = 512n = 512Figure 9:Figure 9: Perceptions of safety Perceptions of safety

PRIVATE

74%

PUBLIC

19%

BOTH

5%

UNANSWERED2%

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HEALTHY STUDENT LIFEHEALTHY STUDENT LIFEThis implies maintaining a balance between academia, sport, culture and This implies maintaining a balance between academia, sport, culture and

socialisingsocialising during the student years. In other words students should during the student years. In other words students should lead a holistic lifestyle to ensure that they are well-rounded lead a holistic lifestyle to ensure that they are well-rounded

individuals by the time they graduate. individuals by the time they graduate.

Scholars felt that a healthy student life refers to some of the Scholars felt that a healthy student life refers to some of the following:following:

– Public tertiary institutions are better able to provide a healthy Public tertiary institutions are better able to provide a healthy student life as a more favourable gender ratio will be observed student life as a more favourable gender ratio will be observed e.g. “not enough girls at private tertiary institutions”e.g. “not enough girls at private tertiary institutions”

– No matter how unrealistic, the perception that private tertiary No matter how unrealistic, the perception that private tertiary institutions are better able to cater for a healthy student life as institutions are better able to cater for a healthy student life as “the lazy people will be separated from the hard-working people”.“the lazy people will be separated from the hard-working people”.

– Private tertiary institutions are better able to cater for a healthy Private tertiary institutions are better able to cater for a healthy student life as the possibility of “contracting HIV” was perceived student life as the possibility of “contracting HIV” was perceived as being higher in a public tertiary institution.as being higher in a public tertiary institution.

The perception of scholars regarding a healthy student life seems to The perception of scholars regarding a healthy student life seems to be balanced between public and private tertiary institutionsbe balanced between public and private tertiary institutions

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HEALTHY STUDENT LIFE cont…HEALTHY STUDENT LIFE cont…

n = 512n = 512

Figure 10:Figure 10: Perceptions of a healthy student life Perceptions of a healthy student life

PRIVATE

50%PUBLIC

40%

BOTH

7%

UNANSWERED3%

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Higher education systems would be wise to pay Higher education systems would be wise to pay attention to the indications scholars are giving. attention to the indications scholars are giving. Even though what scholars perceive may not be Even though what scholars perceive may not be

the universities’ reality, universities have to the universities’ reality, universities have to adapt themselves as to what prospective adapt themselves as to what prospective

students are requiring. After all, a prospective students are requiring. After all, a prospective student should be viewed as a prospective client student should be viewed as a prospective client

for the higher education system. for the higher education system.

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