Katie Scott
09/11/09
4:10
This article is about how drastically how the drop out rates are for students persuing higher education in South Africa. It also discusses the correlation between these drop out rates and poverty among the students who are dropping out. A major study found that 40 percent of students in South Africa drop out during their first year of college. The study also shows that around 70 percent of those who drop out come from low income, low educated families. The article discusses other reasons for such a high drop out rate. Some of these reasons include but are not limited to poor career choices, domestic problems, pregnancy, and too much partying. Although these other factors have an effect on these students dropping out of college, the major theme among these students is lack of funds or financial aid to pay for their schooling. Universities in South Africa have called on the government to raise the amount of funds given to those students who need assistance, in an effort to decrease drop-out rates.
I think that the numbers in this article are quite high, however, I feel that we have a lot of the same problem here in the united States. I know that the US government gives more financial aid to students that the government in South Africa probably does, however, there is a rather high number of students who cannot afford to attend college in the United States as well. Also, as far as the other factors as to why students drop out, I feel that those probably have a much greater influence in causing the drop out of many more of those students than is reported. I know that in the United States, many people who party too much or do not dedicate enough of their selves to their education to suceed in college, generally blame their failure on other factors such as lack of funding. Granted, I do understand that South Africa is a much poorer nation, overall, than the United States, however, I feel that we can relate to this issue of high drop out rates that they are having in South Africa.
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20071025102245380
2 comments:
I think you are absolutely right when it comes to the "true" reasons leading to high drop out rates. In college, one must have a great deal of self discipline and determination in order to succeed. However, even these characteristics aren't enough to succeed if the financial funds aren't there.
I find it really heartbreaking to know that there are so many people who want to attend school but don't have the funds to cover it. And to make matters worse, it's hard to see those people in college who do not have the self-discipline to dedicate themselves to their schooling. There are so many people who would love to be in their shoes getting an education.
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