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The First Year Experience in South African Higher Education
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The transition between school and university is very problematic in South
Africa, as the first year of study shows exceptionally high drop-out rates.
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Between 20% and 34% of first time entering students drop out during their first year of
study, and this is between 50% and 65% of the total five year drop out rate.
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Of all students who pass matric with degree entrance, less than 20% are admitted to
university, and of these, half drop out of university without a degree within five years.
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It is a very inefficient system and this inefficiency can be significantly ameliorated by a
first year experience that effectively arrests drop outs by increasing retention.
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South African Universities have embraced the First Year Experience; the system has
seen significant growth and diversity of approaches and various innovations.
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Analysis shows establishment of dedicated First Year Experience organization staffed
and resourced to provide both service and ongoing support for students.
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However, monitoring and tracking is quite minimal and in some cases tracking does not
happen at all. Where it happens it tends to be superficial and poorly predictive.
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A system that tracks students on the basis of student data and uses the data to
evaluate stress and predict the likelihood of drop out is required.