A study of the role of community colleges in the provision of vocational-technical education with specific reference to the Eastern Free State

Abstract

This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating American community colleges in order to consider their role in the provision of vocational-technical education with specific reference to the Eastern Free State. In order to achieve this, three research methodologies were engaged in. They comprised a documentary study relating to the nature and functioning of American community colleges and to the provision of vocational-technical education in South Africa, an on-site visit to an American community college for the purpose of conducting an in-depth study thereof as well as an empirical investigation undertaken in the Eastern Free State with the purpose of determining the need for the establishment of community colleges in the region. The documentary study of the American community college as well as the on-site visit to a typical American community college have revealed that these educational institutions have been particularly useful to individuals whose educational opportunities have been limited by a variety of circumstances by being plentiful, nearby, inexpensive, offering a variety of programmes and by adhering to an open-door admissions policy that imposes few entry requirements. It has also been revealed that American community colleges have a positive impact on those associated with them, namely, students, commerce and industry, universities and society in general. The documentary study relating to the provision of vocational-technical education in South Africa has revealed that in the past the provision of education in the country has been skewed in favour of the White population, which happened to be in the minority. As a result, the majority of citizens of the country either received little or no education at all. This has resulted in high levels of illiteracy, unemployment and poverty. It has also been found that corrective measures against this state of affairs are currently being undertaken. The empirical investigation undertaken in the Eastern Free State has found that the residents of the Eastern Free State are in favour of the establishment of community colleges in their region. The type of community college that is desired is one that will lead to the upliftment of the educational levels of its students and equip them with marketable skills. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations are made relating to the establishment of community colleges in the Eastern Free State. It has been found that there is no need for the establishment of community colleges alongside the already existing FET colleges in the Eastern Free State. Instead it is recommended that some of the features of American community colleges that have contributed to their success be adopted, adapted where necessary and be integrated into the FET college operating in the Eastern Free State.