Post-School Education Pathways — CET and Second-Chance Programme
Theme: Adult education and training
Assessment
Responsible: DHET / DBE / SAQA
Feasibility Assessment
Medium. Low political priority relative to universities and NSFAS. Articulation framework improvements have high ROI at low fiscal cost.
Description
South Africa's Community Education and Training (CET) colleges provide second-chance education for an estimated 3.5 million adults without matric, but enrolments remain under 300,000—far below potential demand. The Second Chance Matric Programme (2017) offers supplementary exams and distance learning for those who failed. The PSET White PaperWhite Paper: A government policy document setting out official plans and proposals, typically following a green paper consultation. A white paper signals firm policy intent and often precedes the drafting of legislation. (2013) envisioned CET as the foundation of a mass adult education system; implementation has been partial. Both programmes are severely underfunded: CET colleges lack infrastructure, qualified educators, and curriculum links to TVET progression pathways. Parliamentary BRRRs noted the absence of articulation between CET, TVET, and university programmes means second-chance learners face dead-end qualifications. Reform requires CET Act amendment, funding model revision, and SAQA articulation framework updates.
Referenced in OECD Economic Surveys: South Africa
OECD SA Survey (2017, 2020, 2025). Education quality improvement is a recurring OECD recommendation across all surveys.
Evidence & Research
Research corpus →- Post-school Education and Training in South Africa
SALDRU (UCT) · Nov 2020
The paper describes the post-school education and training system in South Africa, including pathways and qualifications for those who did not complete schooling—directly addressing the institutional landscape and articulation framework that the CET and Second-Chance Programme reform depends on.
- What and where you study matters in the labour market
SALDRU (UCT) · Oct 2019
The paper analyses employment and wage outcomes by qualification type and institution, directly addressing the labour market returns to post-school education pathways that justify CET and second-chance programme investment.
Links proposed by lexical matching and screened by a calibrated research judge. Follow the paper for the full argument and its caveats.
Parliamentary record
12 meetingsCommittee sittings this reform was drawn from, most recent first. Each row opens the meeting on this site; the PMG link goes to the source record.
Higher Education and Training
25 February 2026Implementation of the Committee’s recommendations following oversight visits at higher education institutions, with Deputy Minister
Higher Education and Training
18 February 2026Employment of foreign academics at universities and colleges, with DHET Minister & DHA Deputy Minister
Basic Education
17 February 20262025 National Senior Certificate Exam Outcomes & Second Chance Matric Programme; with Deputy Minister
How to cite
Wilse-Samson, L. (2026). Post-School Education Pathways — CET and Second-Chance Programme. SA Policy Space. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://sa-policy-space.vercel.app/ideas/post-school-education-pathways-cet-and-second-chance-programme?snapshot=2026-08-24
Status History
tracked since Mar 2026- Recorded as Under review when status tracking began — held since at least Mar 2026.Mar 2026
Data as of 2026-08-24 · latest PMG meeting 2026-08-21