MPs get briefed on 2010 student enrolments on higher education

By Ofentse Mokae
01 February 2010


Members of parliament’s portfolio committee on Higher Education and Training are expected to be briefed today on the 2010 student enrolment in higher education institutions as well as further education and training colleges.

The briefing by the newly formed department of higher education and training, will focus on some of the challenges faced by students during the registration period.

Committee member Mamoleko Kubayi says the briefing is also about how the department is helping students to access the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

“You will note that NSFAS is currently under a process of review that the minister commissioned last year, so based on that there were some recommendations made by the minister that in the interim these are the things that needed to change,” Kubayi said.

Kubayi was referring to cases were students were not able to apply for the loan unless first registered as students at their institution of choice.

This hoisted outcry from various student bodies saying prospective students who did not have money to register were excluded to enrol at higher education institutions.

Last year committee chair Marius Fransman raised a concern about R40 million of unspent bursary funds that were returned to NSFAS by the universities that were responsible for allocating them to needy students.

The funds were allocated by NSFAS to the universities but they did not make full use of all the available funds.

The portfolio committee called on NSFAS to strengthen and streamline its financial allocation criteria to ensure that the historically disadvantaged students get access to education.

Kubayi said as many institutions are currently experiencing student boycotts on fee increament, they(committee)are also hoping to get an update from the department on mechanisms they are implementing to ensure there are fee caps.

“And based on the inputs and reports we will be receiving from the department we will then make recommendations for them to lay a way forward for the institutions,” added Kubayi

A foundation is expected to be laid on the matter for the sector forum to be called by minister Blade Nzimande later in the year.