South African students entering higher education institutions do
so from positions of extreme inequality in terms of schooling,
race, class, and financial and other resources. Policies of
widening access to higher education have led to an increased number
of students who enter institutions from poor and disadvantaged
backgrounds without the 'cultural capital' deemed necessary for
success. Large numbers of students drop out for a range of reasons
that relate to poor programme choice, maladjustment, social
circumstances, health and finances. The...