A bachelor’s pass in matric is no longer a ticket straight into university, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela said on Wednesday, warning that South Africa’s post-school education and training (PSET) system is under unprecedented pressure as record numbers of learners qualify for further study.

Briefing the media at the Ronnie Mamoepa Media Centre in Pretoria, Manamela said the country has just recorded about 650,000 successful matriculants, an achievement he welcomed but one that is stretching the system beyond its limits.

“This is an achievement, and it must be acknowledged. It reflects sustained progress in basic education and the determination of learners, educators, families and communities,” he said.

“But progress carries pressure.”

A gap between success and capacity

Manamela said the PSET system currently has about 535,000 funded and planned spaces across universities, TVET colleges, community colleges, skills programmes and workplace learning, far fewer than the number of learners who now qualify for post-school opportunities.

“The gap between success and capacity is real. It’s structural and longstanding,” he said.

“The last two years have created a shock to the system, which means our responses need to be bolder and firmer.”

He cautioned that the matric categories themselves often create unrealistic expectations.

“A bachelor’s pass does not guarantee admission to a university or to a specific programme,” Manamela said.

“Meeting an APS score does not necessarily guarantee someone a space in that particular programme.”

To illustrate the point, he said: “If two million applications are received for law, does it mean we should train two million lawyers as a country? No. Planning matters.”

Rethinking the meaning of a “bachelor’s pass”

The 2025 National Certificate results show 46.4% of candidates achieved a bachelor’s pass, 28.1% a diploma pass and 13.5% a higher certificate pass. But Manamela said the way these categories are understood often misleads learners and parents.

“We are going to have a friendly fight with basic education,” he said.

“Categorising a pass as a bachelor’s pass creates an expectation which our rules in universities do not necessarily operate by.”

He stressed that more than 40% of learners did not achieve a bachelor’s pass, underlining the need for a differentiated system with multiple pathways.

“Our post-school system must be differentiated, articulated and well communicated,” he said.

STEM: A weak pipeline and a national risk

A major concern, according to the minister, is the weak pipeline into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“Growing enrolment in mathematical literacy rather than pure mathematics, stagnant performance in mathematics and accounting, and limited growth in physical sciences, the consequences are very profound,” Manamela said.

He warned that learners are being locked out of high-demand programmes in engineering, health sciences, ICT, data science and advanced manufacturing because of subject choices and preparation.

“This weakens our national skills base and limits our responsiveness to industrialisation, innovation and economic growth,” he said.

The departments of Higher Education and Basic Education are finalising plans to strengthen alignment on subject choice guidance and learner preparedness, while a new programme led by Deputy Minister Nkabane Dube-Ngubane will popularise maths and STEM subjects.

Universities are not the only path

Manamela said the surge in matric passes should accelerate a shift away from a university-only mindset.

“When people look up to our system, it must not just be that we want to go to universities,” he said.

“It must be that I either want to pursue an academic or a vocational stream or a hybrid of those streams.”

He emphasised that TVET and community colleges are not “residual options”.

“TVETs and CET colleges are not residual options. They are a central pillar of our PSET system,” he said.

“They provide practical, accessible and work-related education to the majority of South Africans.”

He said colleges are already absorbing students who could not get university places.

“Our principals are not returning anyone back. They are keeping records and, where they can, allowing those students to study there.”

Short courses, skills and the just energy transition

Given infrastructure and staffing constraints, the department will increasingly prioritise short courses and modular qualifications, particularly at TVET and community colleges.

“We encourage the growth of occupational programmes that can be scaled up speedily,” Manamela said.

He highlighted the new “Just Energy Transition Skills Desk”, which will link learner demand to priority sectors like renewable energy, grid infrastructure and electric mobility.

Workplace-based learning, including apprenticeships, learnerships and internships, will also be expanded to offer faster routes into the labour market.

NSFAS: Funding nearly a million students

On student funding, Manamela said the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will fund nearly one million students in 2026.

“For 2026, 626,935 first-time applicants have been informed and verified,” he said.

“And 427,144 continuing university students who met progression criteria will also be funded.”

He revealed the scale of state investment.

“On average, the South African people are giving each student about R120,000.”

He said it was encouraging that about 74% of NSFAS-funded students passed*, countering the narrative that funding is wasted.

“This is cause for celebration,” he said.

In addition, SETAs will support over 15,000 new bursary beneficiaries and nearly 8,000 continuing students in the 2025/26 cycle.

Readiness for the 2026 academic year

Manamela said the sector is confident of a stable opening of the academic year, following daily “war room” meetings to monitor readiness.

“We’re confident of a stable opening of the academic year with ongoing monitoring,” he said, though he acknowledged there would still be incidents that need attention.

He warned against community pressure to reserve university places only for locals.

“We do not think that’s helpful,” he said, urging engagement rather than destabilisation.

He also cautioned against private accommodation providers who intimidate students.

“Students should feel free to choose whatever accommodation they use,” he said.

Crackdown on fake colleges

Manamela ended with a warning to students and parents to avoid unregistered private colleges.

“Not all colleges out there are legitimate,” he said.

“Make sure you check their registration. If they can’t show you the right certificates, move away from that building and inform us.”

He said the department will continue its campaign against bogus institutions that reopen in new locations after being shut down.

“Our post-school education and training system is not static and not in crisis by default; it is under pressure, but we are reshaping it” Manamela said.

“Multiple pathways are not a compromise; they are a strength. Not every learner will secure immediate placement in their first choice, but every learner must find a credible, supported pathway into learning, skills development and productive participation in society.”

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