So 74percent of black kids aspire to higher education after matric, and that's 10percentage points higher than white kids at 64percent.

So 74percent of black kids aspire to higher education after matric, and that's 10percentage points higher than white kids at 64percent.

A study we reported yesterday found that ever more young South Africans dream big. But, tragically, our society will fail most of these kids and relatively few will realise their aspirations.

Study after study has investigated why so many of our kids drop out of schools and universities.

Their results vary widely, but most agree that half of the kids who start high school will not matriculate. And half those who start university will drop out before earning their degrees.

Blame HIV, poverty and a host of other social reasons, but all agree the main reason kids drop out of university is that they are inadequately prepared at school.

Far too many are functionally illiterate and innumerate despite 12 years of schooling.

That's a shocking indictment of our education system, and our teachers.

We all know heroic teachers who have dedicated their lives to preparing young minds for the future. But we also all know of the officious nincompoops who should never have been allowed into a classroom.

No political, social or economic issue we face is as important as education to the future of our nation.