Taking higher education to greater heights
The Department of Higher Education and Training is investing in colleges and universities to increase access to these institutions
Government will invest about R7 billion in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and universities as it seeks to increase access to these institutions.
Speaking to PSM, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training
Buti Manamela said the R7 billion will go towards further developing the country’s newest universities including the University of Mpumalanga and the Sol Plaatjie University in the Northern Cape.TVET colleges will also be refurbished and new campuses built over a two-year period.
“About R 1 billion per year will be ploughed into the Mpumalanga University and Sol Plaatjie University. A further R 2.5 billion over the next five years has been targeted at the historically disadvantaged universities,” he said.
“The National Skills Fund has committed R2.5 billion towards construction of new TVET college campuses and the refurbishment of two existing campuses,” said. Deputy Minister Manamela.
Expanding capacity
Government is already investing considerable resources to expand the capacity of institutions to enrol more students.
“It is the only way we can deal with queues and drastically reduce the cost on the learner, university and government,” said the Deputy Minister.
He added the rising costs of education is driven by elements such as transport, accommodation and food, and as such turning to virtual learning would make education more affordable and accessible.
Skilled workforce
According to Deputy Minister Manamela, South Africa needs a skilled workforce to stimulate economic growth.
“The key challenge we face as a country is getting young people skilled and putting young people into work places to stimulate our economy.
“Employers have raised concerns saying they are not getting a skilled workforce. Young people are complaining that they are required to be skilled,” he noted.
He added that the Skills Education Training Authorities in South Africa has expressed a lack of coordination in rolling out their programmes.
TVET colleges have also raised concerns about insufficient funding saying this is one of the reasons they cannot produce to their full potential.
“It’s about getting our workforce adequately skilled and getting the unemployed into the labour market and also encouraging those who are skilled to be entrepreneurs and create jobs,” he explained.
The department is currently championing the Decade of the Artisan campaign which has been central to producing more than 20 000 artisans on an annual basis in the country.
The Decade of the Artisan (2014 – 2024) is an advocacy campaign and a flagship project which aims to motivate learners to consider artisanship as a career of choice in the 21st century.
Making TVET colleges more fashionable
The Deputy Minister wants to make TVET colleges a more appealing choice for prospective students.
“We need skills that can be produced in TVET colleges such as tilers, brick layers and plumbers. These
skills are at the centre of building our economy. We need to make it fashionable and cool to be a TVET graduate,” he said.
“The TVET sector is a national priority in our post-school education and training system. Mid-level skills offered by TVET colleges are critical for the development of our country. TVET colleges are not second choices for students who cannot get into university. Our TVET colleges are institutions that produce the technicians and leaders of the future,” he added.
Education a top priority
In December President Zuma announced that government would be introducing fully subsidised free higher education and training for poor and working class South Africans.
“The policy decision communicated by the President to address funding challenges in higher education is proof that education remains a top priority of government’s propoor policies,” said Deputy Minister Manamela.
“It is a pro-poor policy decision to fight poverty, inequality and unemployment in South Africa and to bring hope, opportunity and success to the poor and working class,” he added.
The department has agreed with universities for a flexible approach to registrations and institutions have responded positively to the initiative.
The department has also implemented the Central Applications Clearing House service (CACH), an online application portal designed for Grade 12 students and other citizens who are seeking admission into post-school education and training for the first time.
“It assists prospective students by sharing their National Senior Certificate results with public and private further and higher education institutions across the country, including TVET colleges, universities, SETAs and registered private higher institutions,” explained the Deputy Minister.
New provisions
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has also put in place mechanisms with universities and TVET colleges that take into account the provisions for free education.
Manamela said Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba would announce budget allocation for the department during his February budget speech.
“There has to be an increase in the budget for NSFAS also looking at the funding formula to institutions of higher learning,” said the Deputy Minister.
As part of free education, those who were beneficiaries of South Africa Social Security Agency grants will continue to get assistance from NSFAS.
“Free education also means that these children whose parents are on SASSA or receiving SASSA grants will automatically receive free education, provided they meet admission requirements. They are not required to undergo the NSFAS test,” he explained.
Government is looking into the costs associated with the roll out of free education with more details expected in Minister Gigaba’s budget speech.
Last year President Zuma established the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training with Justice Jonathan Arthur Heher appointed as the chairperson.
The terms of reference of the Heher Commission was to enquire into, make findings, report on and make recommendations on the feasibility of making higher education and training free in South Africa.
The Heher Commission projected the cost to be around R40 billion. It also recommended that government increase its expenditure on higher education and training to at least one percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
Fast facts on free education
• This policy decision on free education will be phased in over a five-year period.
• All first year applicants in possession of a firm offer from a university or TVET college will be assessed for funding, including those who did not apply for NSFAS funding.
• Students who may not have applied at an institution or NSFAS and are looking for a space in the post school system will be assisted through the CACH.
• NSFAS has already received in excess of 300 000 applications for first year students for the 2018 academic year at universities and TVET colleges.