GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES
‘Missing middle’
“Students above NSFAS threshold yet can’t afford university education”
DHET NSFAS’s new funding model in development
•
• •
Will provide loans for students that do not meet the NSFAS criteria yet require financial assistance to access higher education
is addressing the challenge Presidential Commission of Inquiry in place
FEE FACT 0% university fee increase - accommodated through another
R2.33 billion
•
Led by Honourable Justice Jonathan Arthur Heher
•
Examine fee structures & mechanisms to make higher education more affordable
•
8 months to conclude report
To be tested in 2017 Full implementation in 2018
ANOTHER
GOVERNMENTADDRESSES ADDRESSESKEY KEY HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNMENT EDUCATION&&TRAINING TRAININGISSUES ISSUES
No financial NSFAS exclusions bolstered R4.582 billion in 2016 by
• R2.543 billion More on
NSFAS funding NSFAS budget:
R10 billion R72.9 million for disabled university students
R700 million+ given by National Skills Fund for bursaries
• scarce & critical skills like science, commerce, health and engineering
•
available through the financial aid offices at universities
(loans) to assist 71,753 identified students
• Who qualifies: Students qualified for NSFAS funding & partially/not funded over the past 3 academic years
• R2.039 billion
Financial support to students to continue and complete their qualifications in the university system Win 2016
REPAYMENTS GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION &LOAN TRAINING ISSUES
Historic must debt be cleared Substantial progress achieved • Historic debt • No upfront of all students payments who qualify for NSFAS
+ New funding to assist existing students in the system
would be required for 2016 registration
• If the historic debt of
all students is cleared, universities would close, some within months
• Would encourage
non-payment of fees by wealthier students, putting institutions at greater risk
• Students with accumulated
!
debt above the NSFAS threshold need to pay it back to institutions + repayments ensure all
WORTH
NOTING
academically able students have access to higher education
sustains & builds our +
institutions
GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES
NSFAS
implementation on
campuses
NSFAS’ roving supervisors to visit campuses to ensure quality implementation
NSFAS has strengthened its administrative capacity
Forensic investigation into the administration of NSFAS is underway:
• seconding resources from the banking sector to ensure more efficient and effective processes
• identify any fraudulent activity
• additional administrative capacity to ensure new funds effectively managed
• provide advice on systems & improvements so that funds allocated are fairly & transparently allocated, efficiently managed
GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES
Additional and better quality residences
+
• Ministerial Committee on
Student Housing (2011) identified student housing quantum
• National benchmarks for new residences established; policy published
• Policy provides time lines
for institutions to meet management standards for old & new residences
ALSO +
Looking into possible unused or under-utilised government properties that can be refurbished and upgraded
Funding for residences 2012/13 to 2014/15
R 1,652 billion Including
R1,413 billion for historically disadvantaged campuses Approximately
R1 billion in 2015
+
Finding additional funds like the infrastructure grant to ensure quality implementation
GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES
Language never to be a barrier English desired medium Ministry Report on supports African principle Languages providing adequate provisions made for supporting & developing African languages
Current Higher Education Language Policy under review
GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES
Presidential Commission • Commission is a presidential one • Minister to approach the President & student leadership regarding regular reporting to student leadership
GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES KEY HIGHER EDUCATION & TRAINING ISSUES
Barriers for students from other African countries Minister to take this matter up with vice-chancellors