Committee calls for more loans for students

By Ofentse Mokae
10 July 2009

The Portfolio Committees on Basic Education and Higher Education and Training visited the National Student Financial Aid Scheme's (NSFAS) Cape Town Offices this week.

During a Committee meeting, members highlighted challenges they face.

Some of these challenges included unspent money. At the core of the challenges, was the misalignment between NSFAS, Universities and Further Education and Training Colleges. According to the committee, this “ throws needy students into serious disarray.”

The Committees were particularly disturbed that more than R40 million that was returned to NSFAS by Colleges and Universities as unspent money in 2008.

According to a press release , the Committee is quoted as saying :”Money given to institutions should be fully spent. This does not make sense to have money returned yet there are still student loitering around because they could not get funding for their studies.

“The Committees also call on NSFAS to strengthen and streamline its financial allocation criteria to ensure that the historically disadvantaged students get access to education. This call is informed by the fact that education tops government's programmes, and a need to see cutting edge education system in the country. “