
Subscribe & Follow
Return on investment for bursaries calls for holistic support

The return on investment (ROI) for bursary support must address the high drop-out rate of first years through offerings of holistic student support, including career guidance, mentorship, soft skills development and psychosocial support. “When a student’s well-being is taken care of, so will the results,” a Topco report of the masterclass said. “In this way graduates walk into the workforce better prepared, on a holistic level.”
The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) addresses the unique challenges facing students and goes beyond the bursary to create holistic programmes that care for the overall well-being of students. CRET’s offerings include career guidance and psychometric testing, psycho-social support, soft skills training and ongoing mentorship. To support the employment prospects of graduates, students are supported in acquiring a drivers licence and work-seeking and work-readiness workshops, internships and job shadowing and holiday work opportunities are also facilitated.
This holistic approach answers a need voiced by students and helps ensure real throughput success.
The bursary landscape in South Africa has its risks, opportunities as well as rising trends, and the funding ecosystem needs reinforcement. For education providers and bursary funders, a real change is occurring in terms of defining student success, beyond CSI imperatives to being integral development partners.
This success of students is a social justice imperative and incorporates greater access to tertiary education for young people, support that creates a positive learning experience and ensures well-rounded and successful graduates with the skills and resources to be employable and to contribute to the economy and society at large.
About Chantelle Oosthuizen
Chantelle Oosthuizen is the executive director of Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust- CRET graduate tackles South Africa’s waste crisis through innovation10 Sep 12:21
- Black Umbrellas shines spotlight on female entrepreneurs during Women’s Month29 Aug 13:00
- CRET celebrates 25 years of empowering youth through education at Annual Graduate Awards08 Jul 16:03
- Urgent action to stop violence, abuse, and neglect in schools06 Jun 16:39
- Lilitha legacy celebration shines light on women’s empowerment and youth development17 Apr 14:19
