The Three Fundamental Questions – Combined

Do the following activity on the three fundamental questions:

Read the following extract from an article which appeared on the website of The New Age newspaper on 4 December 2015 and answer the questions:

LIMITED UNIVERSITY SPACE SHUTS OUT SCORES OF STUDENTS

BATANDWA MALINGO

Thousands of university applicants have been turned away as universities across the country struggle to accommodate growing numbers of young people wanting to study.

At least seven major universities in the country had received a combined total of more than 300 000 first year applications for placements next year, but fewer than 50 000 were accepted for the new academic year.

Admissions had reportedly become competitive and universities were able only to admit a limited number of students.

The number of spaces available was reportedly in line with the enrolment plan approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

More than 90 000 first-year applications had been received by the University of Johannesburg, with only 10 500 accepted.

The University of Western Cape received 50 000 applications and had taken a mere 4 500, while Wits University accepted 6 300 students from more than 65 000 applicants.

Rhodes University took in 1 800 from 7 830 applicants while the University of Cape Town accepted 4 200 from more than 19 000 applicants.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University had 6 056 students from more than 50 000 applications.

The application period for all these institutions had ended and those whose applications were unsuccessful were urged to find alternative institutions to study.

Source: http://www.thenewage.co.za/limited-university-space-shuts-out-scores-of-students/

1. Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:

It is clear from the article that in terms of the question of what to produce the South African society decided to allocate its resources in such a way that its higher education institutions can accept approximately 50 000 new students in 2015.

You should agree since only 50 000 new students can be accommodated at our higher education institutions

Think again.

You should agree since only 50 000 new students can be accommodated at our higher education institutions

2. The number of students that were admitted is less than the number of students that applied to study at higher education institutions.

You should agree since the number of students that were admitted is 50 000 while the number that applied were 300 000.

Think again.

You should agree since the number of students that were admitted is 50 000 while the number that applied were 300 000.

3. To increase the number of places the South African society needs to allocate more resources to higher education institutions which can be done very easily since it has an abundance of resources.

The statement is only partially correct. If we wish to increase the number of places we need to allocate more resources to higher education institutions but we cannot do it easily

The statement is only partially correct. If we wish to increase the number of places we need to allocate more resources to higher education institutions but we cannot do it easily

4. To answer the question for whom to produce, in this case who will be accepted to study, the South African society decided to award the places on a first come first serve basis.

Think again.

You should disagree since the allocation of the places is awarded on a number of criteria such as such as APS scores and scores for National Benchmark Tests as well as ability to pay.

You should disagree since the allocation of the places is awarded on a number of criteria such as such as APS scores and scores for National Benchmark Tests as well as ability to pay.