The Minister for Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane says there will be change for the beneficiaries of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The department has received a total of R137.5 billion and has committed to use the funds academically, to not only benefit students in institutions of higher learning, but to help the country fight Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Dr Nkabane said that this budget is dedicated to those who had an impact in the Higher Education sector.
“It remains our goal to expand access to higher education and training opportunities and improve the quality of provisioning, responsiveness and efficiency of the school and education system. Improved skills development will maintain our nation’s competitiveness in addressing societal challenges. We managed to prioritize within our budget at least R10.8 million to support the implementation of Gender Based Violence programmes,” Dr Nkabane said.
Dr Nkabane said that they have acknowledged the challenges faced by students and are planning on dealing with NSFAS inefficiencies. She has committed that all NSFAS related challenges will be resolved soon. She added that it is her commitment to root out corruption and maladministration at the financial aid scheme.
“Earlier this year we came up with a comprehensive student funding model where we committed R3.8 billion initial capitalization fund to support middle class students, effective this financial year. This is the category of students who come from families with a total income of more than R350 000 but not more than R600 000 per annum. The fund covers prospective students for both TVET colleges and public universities,” Dr Nkabane added.
She indicated that approximately 2 million university students have applied for NSFAS funding.
Skills development is a priority for the new Minister of Higher Education as she aims to produce 26 500 Artisans in the 2024/25 financial year. Dr Nkabane said that the sector will provide strategic solutions to provide an equitable higher education system.