ANALYSIS OF PROGRESS MADE IN TRANSFORMING THE HISTORICALY DISADVANTAGED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: A CASE OF THE SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Transformation of Higher Education institutions (HEIs) has always been on government agenda since 1994.The Higher Education Sectors witnessed the adoption of micro economic policies and prescripts that were directed at transforming the higher education Institutions. The government of South Africa,developed a committee aimed at steering the transformation agenda especially the Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institutions (HDHEIs). Part of the recommendations made by the committee was the review of the Higher Education Policy. However, the policy review that was undertaken by these Committees on higher education did not translate into material benefits for the majority of these HDHEIs. This is owing to a number of possible reasons, amongst them, lack of policy monitoring, poor implementation of policies and lack of commitment for implementation of projects.
The study aims to assess progress made in transforming HDHEIs in South Africa with specific reference to access, equity and inclusivity. The study also reflects on the bold policy steps adopted by democratic South Africa to examine the extent at which those policies has had an impact on widening access, equity, inclusivity. The study is resting on the hypothesis that there are gaps in implementation of policies and programs aimed at steering the transformation agenda of higher education institutions. The study will be viewed through the interpretivist lenses to interpret perceptions of DHET and sector representatives. The study will also apply four theories namely: Social Inclusion theory, Theory of Change, Analytical Dualism theory and Social Realism theory to interpret factors that enable and constrain the policies and projects aimed at transforming the HDHEIs.A model that can guide HEIs in transforming the HDIs and possibly assist in removing the stigma surrounding the HDHEIs will be proposed. Recommendations made in line with the findings will guide DHET in the development of strategies tailored to transform the HDHEIs.