Challenges of entrepreneurship education among students at the University of Venda

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education has been implemented at numerous higher education institutions to provide students with the skills and knowledge for pursuing entrepreneurship as a career.  Nevertheless, several problems confront entrepreneurship education, despite its recognised benefits among students.  This study sought to identify the obstacles in entrepreneurship education that impede student entrepreneurial development at the University of Venda.  The research employed a qualitative design to fulfil its purpose.  The targeted population consisted of University of Venda student-entrepreneurs engaged in entrepreneurship education programs and those enrolled in entrepreneurship courses.  A convenience sample method was employed to choose 10 participants, and data were gathered using semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews in alignment with the research objectives.  The gathered data was evaluated thematically utilising Atlas.ti version 8.4. The findings revealed the obstacles confronting entrepreneurship education, which include budgetary limits, insufficient funding, and unsuitable teaching techniques.  This research is one of the few that have recognised the obstacles of entrepreneurship education for students.  A mixed-method research strategy is advisable for a comprehensive comprehension of the topic.

Keywords: {'name': 'Education'}, {'name': 'entrepreneurship'}, {'name': 'students'}, {'name': 'unemployment'}, {'name': 'challenges'}

Authors & affiliations

Zanele Mashimbye
University of Venda

Livhuwani Nkondo
University of Venda

Vhuthu Mampheu
University of Venda

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.30880/jtet.2021.13.03.005

DOI: 10.21009/JOBBE.004.2.06

DOI: 10.3390/socsci12050285

DOI: 10.1007/s41959-021-00053-9

DOI: 10.1108/JSBED-01-2020-0012

DOI: 10.4103/picr.picr_253_22

DOI: 10.1108/ET-10-2020-0310

Dlamini, M. E. (2024). Assessment of Work-Integrated Learning: Including the Voices of Student Teachers. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 25(4), 679-691.

Dusi, D., & Stevens, P. (2022). Thematic analysis: an analytical method in its own right. Qualitative data analysis: Key approaches, 293-316.

EDHE Student Entrepreneurship Week. (2022). Available at https://edhe.co.za/sew-2022/

DOI: 10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i7.2663

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100458

Eretan, G. O., & Omotoso, K. A. (2024). Entrepreneurship Education: Influence, Challenges and Approaches for Enhancement in Nigeria–An Emperical Review. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals, 7(7), 461-469

DOI: 10.33200/ijcer.697597

DOI: 10.33200/ijcer.697597

DOI: 10.1080/13639080.2025.2456841

Gamede, B. and Uleanya, C. 2019. Factors Impacting Entrepreneurship Education in TVET Colleges: A Case of South Africa. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22(3): 1-12.

Golzar, J., Noor, S., & Tajik, O. (2022). Convenience sampling. International Journal of Ed-ucation & Language Studies, 1(2), 72-77.

Islam, M. A., & Aldaihani, F. M. F. (2022). Justification for adopting qualitative research method, research approaches, sampling strategy, sample size, interview method, saturation, and data analysis. Journal of International Business and Management, 5(1), 01-11.

DOI: 10.25159/1998-8125/15298

DOI: 10.3390/socsci11090388

Kumatongo, B., & Muzata, K. K. (2021). Research paradigms and designs with their appli-cation in education. Journal of Lexicography and Terminology (Online ISSN 2664-0899. Print ISSN 2517-9306)., 5(1), 16-32.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126915

DOI: 10.1177/1534484320903890

DOI: 10.3390/su12051822

DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2019.1670138

DOI: 10.20944/preprints202308.1826.v2

DOI: 10.1108/ET-03-2020-0068

McCombes, S. (2022, October 10). Sampling Methods | Types, Techniques & Exam-ples. Scribbr. Retrieved November 19, 2022, from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/sampling-methods/.

DOI: 10.56397/RAE.2022.10.02

Motaung, T. (2021). Entrepreneurship education in South Africa: A critical analysis. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 24(1), 1-15.

DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v5i1.1248

Muzari, T., Shava, G. N., & Shonhiwa, S. (2022). Qualitative Research Paradigm, a Key Re-search Design for Educational Researchers, Processes and Procedures: A Theoretical Over-view. Indiana Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(1), 14-20

DOI: 10.38159/ehass.2022SP3117

Ncube, T. R., & Lekhanya, L. M. (2025). The Role of Entrepreneurship Education in Shap-ing Final-Year Students' career Paths: A Case Study of Durban University of Technology's Faculty of Management Science. Journal of Economic & Social Development (1849-6628), 12(1).

Netshilinganedza, T. R. (2020). Factors influencing the attitudes of final year undergraduate students towards entrepreneurship as a career option: A case-study at the University of Venda in Limpopo Province of South Africa (Doctoral dissertation).

DOI: 10.20853/36-6-3910

Nuhu, L. Y. (2021). The impact of entrepreneurship education on developing students entre-preneurial attitudes and intention in emerging economies: An Assessment of the Nigeria Case (Doctoral dissertation, University of Worcester).

Obeng-Koranteng, M. (2021). The Challenges of Entrepreneurship Education: a Case Study at a Selected Ghanaian Higher Educational Institution (Doctoral dissertation).

Obidile, T. I. E. J. I. (2018). Entrepreneurship Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Pro-spects. Journal of Education and practice, 9(20).

Ogina, C. M. (2022). Teachers as Leaders in Promoting Business Studies for Entrepreneur-ship: Challenges and Strategy. Asia-Africa Journal of Business Entrepreneurship Education and Management, 1, 28-50.

DOI: 10.51415/ajims.v6i1.1346

Olojo, O. J. (2021). The usage of ICT education for enhancing sustainable development in Nigerian schools: Issues and suggestions. Euro Global Contemporary Studies Journal, 1(5), 16-31.

DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-05-2023-0208

Omotosho, A.O., Gamede, B.T., Vezi-Magigaba, M.F & Ayandibu, A.O. (2022). Is south af-rica's Entrepreneurship Education Program Successful? A Framework for Policy and Prac-tice. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 25(4), 1-17.

DOI: 10.1108/SEJ-06-2023-0077

DOI: 10.1177/15344843221138381

DOI: 10.14426/jei.v2i1.929

Rahman, M. M. (2023). Sample size determination for survey research and non-probability sampling techniques: A review and set of recommendations. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 11(1), 42-62.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2024.135392

DOI: 10.13187/jare.2021.3.60

Shambare, R., & Donga, G. (2019). The influence of social class and reference groups on the diffusion of innovations.

Shumba, K., & Nkondo, L. (2020). AN INSIGHT OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MI-CRO-FRANCHISE BUSINESSES OPERATING IN SOUTH AFRICA. Journal of Entrepre-neurial Innovations, 1(2).

STEP. (2023). Student Training for Entrepreneurship Promotion. Available at https://step-training.com/about-step/

DOI: 10.3390/su13084519

DOI: 10.52283/NSWRCA.AJBMR.20210512A02

Tenny, S., Brannan, J. M., & Brannan, G. D. (2017). Qualitative study.

Tshehla, S. S. (2019). The effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in South African high schools (Doctoral dissertation).

Tshehla, S.S., Chodokufa, K., Costa, k. 2021. Entrepreneurship education’s influence on learner’s entrepreneurship intention in South African Schools. Available on: https://osf.io/download/609536296801ab04d12a39b5/ (Accessed 10 May 2022).

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-7724-0.ch008

DOI: 10.47524/tje.v5i1.2

Uhunamure, N. D., Odeh, E., & Okotete, A. N. (2020). Student entrepreneurship on campus: A career development exercise or a survival response scheme? Nigeria Journal of Business Administration, 1-15.

DOI: 10.26417/ejser.v4i1.p9-14

Univen Annual Report. (2021). Available at https://www.univen.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/University-of-Venda-2021-Annual-Report-Final.pdf

Univen Annual Report. (2022). Available at https://www.univen.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/UNIVEN-2022-Annual-Report.pdf.

University of Venda Annual Report. (2023). Available at https://www.univen.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/UNIVEN-Annual-Report-2023-1.pdf

DOI: 10.20961/jkb.v27i2.60757

Williams, M., & Moser, T. (2019). The art of coding and thematic exploration in qualitative research. International management review, 15(1), 45-55.

DOI: 10.3390/admsci14050098