Nzimande seeks more changes at universities

MINISTER of Higher Education Blade Nzimande is planning to establish a permanent oversight committee to monitor the transformation of university education.

This follows findings of the Soudien Committee which investigated the transformation and social cohesion and the elimination of discrimination in universities.

It found that discrimination, particularly regarding racism and sexism, is widespread at universities.

Former education minister Naledi Pandor instituted the investigation into the extent of racism and transformation at universities across South Africa.

The committee has recommended that transformation agreements between universities and the education authorities be adopted.

Nzimande said yesterday the committee should submit an annual report to him and he would make the report available for public discussion.

According to the paper, redress policies seeking better access for blacks and women had worked.

"In 1994, 55% of students at public universities were black (African, coloured and Indian), 43% were African and 55% were male. By 2010 these figures were 80% black, 67% African and 43% male.

"While the number of Africans has increased substantially, the level is still smaller than the proportion of Africans in the population.

"The proportion of males, however, has decreased dramatically and must be a cause of some concern if the trend continues. When it came to graduating, only 60% of graduates were African, although Africans constituted 67% of all students.

"This higher drop-out rate and poorer academic performance is due, at least in part, to a lower quality of schooling in townships and predominantly African rural areas."