Abstract:
Low throughput rates at schools and universities across South Africa are cause for
great concern because of the resultant financial burden on the state, the increase in
unemployment and inadequate delivery of much-needed highly skilled professionals.
The advent of the fourth economic wave accompanied as it is by fundamental changes
in the workplace globally calls for a judicious response from theorists, practitioners,
researchers and learners. This article surveys the extent and possible causes of the low
throughput rates in higher education and draws on the results of recent research
projects to design intervention guidelines aimed at facilitating access to and success in
higher education. A combined quantitative+qualitative approach is recommended.
