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 the 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 – has called 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. An integrated, quantitative
and qualitative approach is recommended.
