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South African students speak out: confidence wanes as education system fails to prepare them for the future

South African students continue to face an uphill battle. With mounting challenges in university capacity and registration, confidence in the local education system is dwindling. This year, approximately 47.8% achieved a bachelor's pass. However, South Africa’s public universities can only accommodate just over 200,000 new students, leaving more than 100,000 recent matriculants without placement. This growing crisis emphasises the deepening concerns about accessibility and effectiveness of South Africa’s education system. While education is often touted as the great equaliser, the latest Professional Provident Society (PPS) Student Confidence Index tells a different reality – one where financial strain, mental health struggles and a lack of career preparedness cast shadows over their aspirations.

The findings paint a distinct picture: Only 19% of students feel fully prepared for the transition from high school to university. This gap in readiness is not just an academic issue; it is a failure of the system to equip young minds for the realities ahead. The Student Confidence Index reveals that 80% of students feel unprepared for this critical transition, citing inadequate guidance from high schools and even their parents.  As a result, many are left scrambling to navigate the overwhelming academic, financial and emotional pressures that come with higher education.

Funding and mental health: The two biggest challenges

Access to higher education is meaningless if students can’t afford to stay enrolled. A staggering 87% of students cite funding as their primary challenge, with the majority relying on bursaries and scholarships, while a third depend on family support. Even when financial aid is secured, students are left battling another formidable adversary: mental health. A troubling 80% of respondents report that mental well-being is one of their biggest struggles, alongside the pressure of balancing studies, part-time work and personal responsibilities.

Accommodation and student hunger also remain pressing concerns, affecting nearly a quarter of students surveyed, exacerbating their anxiety, impacting concentration, and compounding the broader mental health crisis in higher education. These challenges highlight a bleak reality: South Africa’s higher education system is not just about academics – it is about survival.

A degree without direction? The work readiness crisis

Beyond the lecture halls, students face another critical challenge – preparing for the working world. While the government’s National Pathway Management Network and Labour Market Intelligence Partnership (LMI) aim to bridge the gap between skills and employment, students remain unconvinced. There are many that still struggle with fundamental work-readiness skills:

• 64% say they need help with networking.
• 50% require assistance with CV and cover letter writing.
• 49% do not know where to start with job search strategies.
• 41% need more skills development.

A call for action: Moving beyond rhetoric

The PPS Student Confidence Index findings demand more than just discussion – they require action. Here is what needs to change:

1. Bridging the transition gap – Schools must introduce real-world readiness programmes, including financial literacy, time management and self-discipline strategies. Universities should expand first-year transition support to ensure students are equipped for the demands of higher education.
2. Mental health must be a priority – Institutions must provide accessible and proactive mental health services. The academic system should also recognise that mental well-being is a fundamental part of student success, not an afterthought.
3. Financial security is fundamental – The current funding model leaves too many students vulnerable. A more sustainable student finance system – one that includes better bursary allocation, financial education and flexible work-study opportunities – is essential.
4. Rethinking employability – Work-readiness programmes should be embedded into the curriculum, offering hands-on training in networking, CV writing and career planning. The private sector must step up collaboration with universities, ensuring that graduates are equipped with industry-relevant skills.
5. Entrepreneurship needs more than encouragement – While small businesses are often hailed as the backbone of the economy, students lack the tools and support to succeed. Simplifying regulatory hurdles, providing start-up funding and embedding entrepreneurial education in university curriculums are key.

“Our latest survey results emphasise the importance of providing holistic support in education to nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators and professionals who will drive our country forward. We will continue to explore innovative solutions and establish strategic partnerships to enhance our impact. It is crucial for the government, universities and the private sector to unite in a collective commitment to ensure education empowers the next wave of professionals and entrepreneurs,” says Ayanda Seboni, PPS Group Executive: Mutuality.

South African students are resilient, ambitious and eager to contribute to the economy but they cannot do it alone. The PPS Student Confidence Index is a call to action: It is time to move beyond policy talk and implement real, tangible solutions to ensure that education truly empowers the next generation. Click here to view the full infographic.