Is the proliferation of private colleges spelling doom for South African public higher education?

Abstract

Although globalisation and internationalisation of higher education in Africa have borne many benefits, some problems that face the South African public higher education today may be associated with them. Private colleges are growing very rapidly and more and more students enrol annually, whilst previously disadvantaged higher education institutions experience a serious decline in student numbers. The reasons for this proliferation together with its impact on higher education will be examined and trends and events leading to the opening of boundaries for international private colleges will be investigated. Trends and events that have led to the establishment of flourishing overseas private colleges will also be investigated. Information on the number of private colleges and historically disadvantaged higher education institutions and as well as their student enrolments will be gathered and analysed. Then recommendations will be made.


South African Journal of Higher Education Vol.16(2) 2002: 56-62