/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Standing Committee on Appropriations yesterday met with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to consider the interventions made to remedy the ongoing challenges at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The Minister for DHET and the administrator charged with improving the NSFAS’s fortunes briefed the committee on these interventions.
 
The DHET briefed the committee on the implementation of Werksmans Attorneys’ recommendations report, as well as on the measures put in place to respond to the payment of allowances and the handling of student enquiries. According to the DHET, perceptions persist that a university education is better than technical and vocational studies. Therefore, more funding is always directed towards university education.
 
The committee emphasised the importance of aligning skills development with the needs of the economy and highlighted the urgent need for a society-wide shift in perceptions about technical and vocational education and training colleges (TVET). The committee said TVET colleges should not be seen as second-class options for students who were not accepted for university study but rather as valuable institutions for obtaining skills needed to drive economic growth.
 
The committee told the DHET that it does not understand why the NSFAS, which has continuously received more funding than early childhood development, has been allowed to squander so much money. The committee assured the Minister of Higher Education and Training that she has the committee’s full support in trying to improve the state of the NSFAS. The committee also called for an appropriate board to be appointed for NSFAS and said that a fresh approach is needed to respond to challenges at NSFAS.
 
Members of the committee expressed their concerns that communication between NSFAS and students remains problematic and said this needs to improve so students can focus on learning. The committee also noted that the government should be applauded for providing millions of students across the country with access to tertiary education.
 
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mmusi Maimane said, “We expect the new board members to be appointed by October, as this is crucial to ensuring that if NSFAS is retained, it fulfils its intended purpose. Because as it stands now, it is a dismal failure.”  
 
The committee welcomed the Minister’s commitment to provide the committee with written responses within two days on technical questions asked by committee members.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Mmusi Maimane