Reforming higher education is central to South Africa’s goal of creating a more inclusive and future-ready society. As technology reshapes industries and job markets evolve, tertiary education must go beyond conferring degrees to equipping learners with adaptable, employable skills.

Recent survey data conducted by KLA  offers a snapshot of how South Africans view the sector. The findings reveal both optimism and challenge,  highlighting where reforming higher education can better serve quality, affordability, and accessibility.

Why Reforming Higher Education Starts with Consumer Insight

Understanding who participates in the higher-education space is key to reform. Of all respondents:

  • 42 % are current tertiary students,
  • 22% are parents or guardians of current tertiary education students
  • 21% are parents or guardians of prospective tertiary education students, and
  • 15 % are prospective students.

This mix reflects how educational decision-making spans generations, from young adults beginning studies to parents financing them.

Demographically, 45 % of respondents are aged 25–35, followed by 26 % aged 36–50, and 22 % aged 18–24. The audience is young yet maturing, motivated by career advancement and stability. With 81 % identifying as Black South Africans, reforming higher education remains an essential driver of representation and opportunity.

Regionally, most respondents live in Gauteng (29 %), KwaZulu-Natal (21 %), Eastern Cape (13%) and the Western Cape (10 %) — provinces with the highest concentration of tertiary institutions. The ongoing challenge lies in extending equal access to provinces such as the Free State,  Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, where opportunities remain limited.

Choice and Perception: Where South Africans Place Their Trust

When asked which institutions they considered, 75 % mentioned public universities, 42 % private higher institutions, and 34 % TVET colleges. Public universities still hold the largest share of trust, but private and vocational providers are steadily gaining recognition.

The main decision drivers were:

  • Quality of education (66 %),
  • Affordability (44 %), and
  • Graduate employability (43 %).

Institutional reputation (42 %) and flexible or online learning (27 %) also shape perceptions,  particularly among working adults and students outside major cities.

These insights underline a key truth: reforming higher education is not just about cost reduction; it’s about balancing quality with relevance. Students and parents alike now see higher learning as an investment linked directly to employability and lifelong skills.

Trust and Reputation in Reforming Higher Education

Overall confidence in higher education remains strong. Average trust scores show only minor differences:

  • Private higher-education institutions: 4.4 / 5
  • Public universities: 4.3 / 5
  • TVET colleges: 4.2 / 5

Each type serves a distinct purpose. Public universities lead on affordability (73 %) and funding options (81 %), reinforcing their accessibility. Private institutions match public universities on quality (74 %) and flexibility (66 %), appealing to learners seeking innovation and smaller class environments. TVET colleges excel in job-market preparation (66 %) and work-experience opportunities (67 %), confirming their importance in South Africa’s skills pipeline.

Rather than viewing these sectors as competitors, reforming higher education should position them as complementary;  a connected system that supports both academic advancement and practical training.

The Role of Media and Public Perception

Perception is powerful 95% agree that media coverage influences how they view higher-education institutions. Younger audiences, in particular, rely on online visibility, reviews, and social proof when forming opinions.

This suggests that reforming higher education extends beyond policy — it includes transforming communication. Transparent, authentic storytelling about graduate outcomes, community impact, and inclusivity strengthens institutional trust far more than advertising alone.

The Future of Work and Reforming Higher Education Alignment

Curriculum relevance is one of South Africa’s most pressing education challenges. When asked who should ensure alignment between learning and the job market:

  • 56 % selected government,
  • 43 % cited public institutions, and
  • 33 % mentioned private institutions.

Only 24 % identified employers, highlighting a gap between academic training and workplace dynamics.

For reforming higher education to be effective, collaboration is crucial. Government must provide policy direction; institutions need to modernise content continuously; and employers should share insights on emerging skills demands to help ensure a future-ready society.

A future-ready curriculum blends technical expertise with human capabilities — creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy — ensuring graduates remain agile in a changing economy.

Inclusion Beyond Access

Inclusivity in higher education means more than increasing enrolments. It involves re-engineering systems so that every student, regardless of province or income, can learn, graduate, and thrive.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Digital equity: ensuring affordable internet access and digital tools for hybrid learning.
  • Financial accessibility: expanding bursaries and scholarships to close affordability gaps.
  • Curriculum localisation: maintaining global standards while embedding local context.
  • Student well-being: strengthening mentorship, career guidance, and mental-health support.

By reforming higher education across these dimensions, the system becomes not only inclusive but transformative, empowering individuals to shape the economy rather than just participate in it.

Consumer Trust as the Catalyst for Reform

Data shows that while cost and employability matter, quality remains the decisive factor. South Africans trust institutions that demonstrate results and transparency. For higher education to succeed, institutions must show measurable outcomes: graduate success rates, updated curricula, and tangible pathways to work.

Students and parents now behave like informed consumers. They compare offerings, evaluate online credibility, and expect flexibility without compromising quality. A consumer-centred reform approach turns these expectations into actionable benchmarks for continuous improvement.

Conclusion: Building a Collaborative Education Model

Reforming higher education is not about replacing existing systems; it’s about connecting them. South Africans believe deeply in the promise of education, but they expect it to evolve with their needs.

By fostering collaboration among government, academia, and industry, and by embedding trust and inclusion into every reform, South Africa can create a learning ecosystem that’s accessible, equitable, and aligned with the future of work.

Reforming higher education, guided by consumer insight and data-driven accountability, holds the key to unlocking opportunity for the next generation of innovators and changemakers.

Methodology

YourView Panel  is maintained and administered by KLA, which provides research services and insights to numerous South African companies, including blue chip clients in the financial services, telecommunications and FMCG industries.

Fieldwork:  02-03 June 2025

Population: South African adults with access to the internet, aged 18+. Quota’s placed on Province and Gender. Natural fall-out of representativity of student vs parents

Sample sizes: n=462