Programme aims to bridge gap between school and higher education
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, is set to spearhead a Matric Support Programme at two schools in the Cape Winelands District this week. The initiative, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, is designed to equip final-year learners with crucial information about tertiary study opportunities and financial assistance as they prepare to enter the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
The programme serves as a vital link between Basic Education and Higher Education, ensuring that matriculants are not left in the dark about their options after completing school. It provides learners with guidance on available courses, institutions, and the various funding mechanisms that could help them further their studies.
"The Matric Support Programme seeks to bridge the gap between Basic Education and Higher Education for matriculants."
First Western Cape visit after Eastern and Northern Cape rollouts
Dr Gondwe will first visit Vusisizwe High School on Monday before heading to Zwelethemba High School on Tuesday. The Department of Higher Education and Training confirmed that this marks the programme's inaugural visit to the Western Cape, following successful engagements in both the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces.
The two-day outreach has been organised in collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department. Additional support for the initiative comes from several key partners, including the Services SETA, FP&M SETA, Khetha – Career Development Services, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the National Skills Fund (NSF), and Old Mutual.
By bringing the programme directly to schools in the Cape Winelands, the Deputy Minister aims to ensure that learners in the region have equal access to the career guidance and funding information they need to make informed decisions about their futures. The collaborative approach, drawing on multiple government agencies and private sector partners, underscores the importance placed on smoothing the transition from school to higher education and training.
South African matriculants, particularly in rural and underserved areas, often lack adequate guidance on post-school pathways, contributing to high dropout rates and youth unemployment. Expanding this programme to the Western Cape could help more learners access funding and course information at a critical decision-making stage, potentially easing pressure on households and strengthening the local skills pipeline. If sustained and scaled nationally, such initiatives may gradually improve transitions into higher education and the broader workforce.
