SA becoming more educated
9 July 2003
More and more South Africans are receiving formal education, age entry into the education system has dropped, and the number of students completing tertiary education in record time has increased, according to the Census 2001 survey released this week.
The report suggests that South Africa is winning the fight against illiteracy, with increased access to education in all nine provinces, and with 6-8% more South Africans gaining access to tertiary education in 2001 than in 1996.
According to 1996 Census, over 90% of children of schoolgoing age had enrolled to attend school. According to Census 2001, this figure had increased to about 95% - growth attributed directly to the government's policy of free, compulsory education for all children from the age of six.
The 2001 report found, however, that access to education in former homelands such as the Transkei declined from 1996.
The Census also recorded a sharp increase in the use of phones in all the provinces, with 42% of households having access to telephone facilities, including cellular phones, in 2001 compared to 29% in 1996.
Statistician-general Pali Lehohla said Census report was a powerful tool for development planning and management.
The chairman of the South African Statistics Council, Hilary Southall estimated the cost of the population census at R1-billion, saying this was justifiable considering the benefits of the project.
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said the findings would help South Africans to discuss issues raised in the report. He said the report, which will be freely available, should be used and promoted as widely as possible.
Source: BuaNews
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