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Is future bleak for aspiring students?

Letjeka Makgathu. © Unknown
Letjeka Makgathu. © Unknown

Xolile Bhengu

Xolile Bhengu

Letjeka Makgathu passed her matric with two As. Out of her seven subjects, the lowest symbols on her certificate were two Ds. Yet she is worried that she might not get an opportunity to study at a higher-learning institution.

The 17-year-old from Limpopo said she did not want to suffer the same fate as her older sibling who does not have enough money to further his education.

She said: "I have been applying for bursaries since last year and I'm still waiting for a response.

"My older brother also passed his matric well but our mother could not afford to pay for the tertiary [institution] fees.

Makgathu said most of the institutions she had approached were not keen on her chosen field of study.

"My heart lies in studying journalism but realistically I'm willing to study anything. I just hope to be given a chance to study."

The Department of Labour and Education said too many young people were not making use of the National Skills Development Stra-tegy (NSDS) and the Employment Skills Development Agencies.

The NSDS has financial backing of R21,9billion for 2005 to 2010.

The department said the Umsobomvu Youth Fund had donated R25million to 19 further education and training colleges to address skills shortages and unemployment.

For more information, matriculants should call the national department of labour on (011) 309 400 or visit www.labour.gov.za

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