The Ministry of Education reported[when?] a 99 percent attendance rate for primary school and an 80 percent rate for both primary and middle schools.[citation needed] In 1985, the government abolished tax-funded higher education, requiring university applicants to compete for scholarships based on academic ability.
Ihhovisi likaNgqongqoshe wezeMfundo, libika ukuthi cishe kunokungenwa kwesikole kwezinga elingamaphesente angu 99 esikoleni seprayimari, kanti amaphesente angu 80 esikole esiphakathi naphakathi. [citation needed] Ngo 1985, uhulumeni waqeda imfundo ephakeme ethola imali yentela kanti lokhu kudinga ukuthi abantu abenza izicelo zokuya eyunivesithi ukuthi baqhudelane ukuthola ama-scholarships ngokulandela ikhono labo kwezemfundo.