Pretoria – The lack of educational attainment was the largest factor contributing to poverty among the youth.
This is according to Statistician General Dr Pali Lehohla, who was giving evidence to the Fees Commission sitting at the City of Tshwane Council Chamber in Centurion.
He said the youth indicated during surveys that for them, not having an education was the main reason they were in poverty.
The rest of the population, however, listed years of schooling as the main drivers of unemployment. "If children do not spend more than the necessary time at school, it reduces poverty," Lehohla told the commission.
The Fees Commission was established in January last year by President Jacob Zuma to look into the feasibility of free higher education.