DHET on its 2015/16 Annual Report; Higher Education Parents Dialogue (HEPARD) on Higher Education crisis, with Minister

Higher Education, Science and Innovation

12 October 2016
Chairperson: Ms C September (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training and the Select Education on Education and Recreation convened for a joint briefing on the Department of Higher Education and Training Annual Report and a briefing by the Higher Education Parents Dialogue on a national consensus for the national higher education crisis.

Of the 65 key performance targets, DHET had managed to achieve 75%, whilst the entire system achieved 48%. The total 2015/16 allocation was an increase of 13.5% from 2014/15. This included R26 billion for higher education institutions and R6.4 billion for the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The Chief Financial Officer noted that the Department received an unqualified audit. The final appropriation was R57 billion, but actual expenditure was R56 billion, resulting in a variance of R84 million under-spent. Total expenditure increased by 13.4% to 41.7 billion (99.8%) in 2015/16. DHET programmes achievement of their performance indicators were as follows:
 Programme 1: Corporate Services/ Administration (50%); Programme 2: Human Resource Development, Planning and Monitoring Co-ordination (56%); Programme 3: University Education (90%); Programme 4: Vocational and Continuing Education and Training (87%), and Programme 5: Skills Development (67%). For the financial year ending March 2016, DHET had planned to deliver on 65 key performance targets; 31 system targets for universities, TVET colleges and SETAs encompassing various areas, such as access success, governance and administration. Reasons for under expenditure per programme were provided.

In discussion, Members asked what consequence management plan was put in place to rectify poor performance and transgressions; universities enjoyed institutional autonomy so how did the independence of universities affect assessment of its performance and financial accounting; why was so much travel and subsistence allowance warranted; the audit found a contract was awarded that was a deviation from regulations, how was this possible; the Director General said DHET would like the college sector to overtake the university sector, yet compliance to government standards by TVET colleges was only 33%; how is DHET reducing temporary staff such as consultants; the audit found that performance indicators of some DHET entities were not SMART so what had DHET done to address this; what was the extent of under-funding for students who qualified to receive NSFAS loans and required to be covered; was the extent of the accumulated debt; how would DHET ensure further funding and financial support to prohibit financial exclusion; the reasons given by DHET for not achieving recruitment targets were insufficient; DHET had in fact overspent because targets were not met or did that mean the Department under-budgeted for its targets; for performance achievement of universities, what was being monitored to achieve its findings; the #FeesMustFall student protests of 2015 caused meant 0% fee increase in 2016 which was not budgeted for, yet in the presentation there was no indication of the magnitude of this; was the 2016 budget adjusted or was there a decreased intake of students; from where had money derived for the over-expenditure to assist 298 457 TVET college qualifying students when the target was 200 000; having so many auditees falter with compliance legislation questioned of the integrity of the system; what mechanism was in place to reduce the backlog of 53% for disciplinary hearings; how many of the interns were women; a phase 1 report was submitted to the Minister on the forensic investigation of fraud and corruption in NSFAS fund allocations, when would this be published; what was the cause of the fruitless and wasteful expenditure of W&R SETA and why were they not accountable to stop it; had all senior managers signed their performance agreements; why was the Department experiencing such a high volume of resignations; when exit interviews were conducted what was the reasons given for their departure; were the BRRRR report recommendations implemented and were they even noted by the Minister of Finance.

Higher Education Parents’ Dialogue
HEPARD explained that the student protests were not just about a fee crisis as it was about imploding the system to start anew. The parent representatives sought a peaceful sustainable solution to the current impasse between students, university principals, and the Department of Higher Education. There should be an immediate end to violent protests, and that all the parties should be willing to create a climate of peace, to enable the resumption of talks, and to agree on the process and “rules of engagement” to resolve internal issues campus by campus, and national issues which require direct government response.

HEPARD had the following expectations:
• Political parties in the National Assembly and NCOP give clear directions and support for peaceful resolution. We invite all political parties to engage with us in our mediation efforts nationally and provincially.
• The National Assembly and NCOP convene a special sitting. Trickling to provincial legislatures
• Provincial legislatures to note that this has implications on basic education.
• Public consultations to assist in achieving stability of Higher Education
• Assume the attitude of a national crisis, requiring national consensus
• We will be engaging with the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Higher Education, the outcomes of which may or may not have fiscal implications.

The Minister of Higher Education spoke in conclusion and admitted that he was unsure about an exact resolution for #FeesMustFall, because even though one solution was available it was difficult to implement, since there was over 20 different groupings of student leaders. When he requested to meet with the student leaders, the protesting students had refused, which invokes difficulty, due to no diplomacy. Government had engaged quite extensively on the matter. There had been a briefing to the Portfolio Committee; engagements had started the Consultation Process, and public announcements made that announced a framework that was not definitive regulation for universities, but a mere framework of fee adjustments and technically was not fee increases. There was a wide consensus regarding what was necessary. The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training (Fees Commission) gave an interim intervention by Government stating that NSFAS recipients should have both their fees and the adjustments covered 100%, which meant that the ETC was eradicated and so prohibited financial exclusion. Also, there was a category called the missing middle, which was combination of the working class and lower-middle class whose household income per annum could not qualify them for a NFAS loan, but neither could they afford higher education. For the first time, this was reviewed. Although the figure was not final, students, who derive from households whose combined income was up to R50 000 per month, did not have to pay the fee adjustment. That alone constituted 75% of undergraduate students in South Africa. For some universities, it would comprise of more than 90% of their registered students, such as University of Zululand, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Limpopo. Not paying the fee adjustment was now applicable to TVET colleges too. DHET urged the parents who could afford the fee adjustment should do so as well as the wealthy. Now, the assumption was that the academic programme for the year would proceed without interruption, whilst the Fees Commission investigated a national financial resolution. However, it was agreed with HEPARD that it was within the mandate of DHET to ensure that the academic year of 2016 was completed.

The Minister noted that the students have tended to shift their appeal to authority throughout the protesting. First they appealed to the Minister then when the answers were not what they expected, the students then wanted to engage with Treasury or the President, and even then if the responses were unacceptable to them, they would want to undermine this by then appealing to the Minster. It was an ongoing to-and-fro of shifting the goal-posts. He urged the Joint Committees was that whatever was decided upon by Parliament would be clearly end-cut. Lastly, it was important to achieve a proper categorization of the different stances. It seems that the end result may always be disputable, but it was important that it was discussed. DHET had agreed with HEPARD that there were forces that have had no interest in completing their academic year, but preferred the catastrophe that would follow a national loss of the 2016 academic year, because they were hoping for political gain out of such a catastrophe. When categorizing it was important that the nature of the challenge was not underestimated, but simultaneously it should not be exaggerated to such an extent that it becomes irresolvable. Hence a careful balance was necessary in the pursuit of fee resolution.

In discussion, Members queried the distinction being made between legitimate students and those just involved in the protest action. Further information about those involved was required, especially since the video footage of protests was creating such a bad impression of our country. Review of legitimate concerns was necessary, because the profile of each university was different; whether it was a concern about insufficient accommodation or other concerns - was this worth sacrificing a whole academic year; when were the closed universities reopening, because some universities such as UCT were unnecessarily closed, and ‘what do we do about the academic year’?

Meeting report

Minister of Higher Education and Training on Department Annual Report
Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training, said the Annual Report presentation was fairly standard, as it would cover the predetermined objectives and summarize highlights. This was the sixth DHET Annual Report since its establishment in 2009. It details the progress of the Departments’ continued building and expansion of post-school training system as articulated in the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training (PSET), and the 2015/16 Annual Performance Plan. DHET strategic goals focus on providing targeted intervention to the system. These include a sound legislative framework, teaching and learning support, infrastructural development as well as a strong stakeholder network. It was a pleasure to report that there was steady progress. DHET have had five programmes: Programme 1: Corporate Services/ Administration; Programme 2: Human Resource Development, Planning and Monitoring Co-ordination; Programme 3: University Education; Programme 4: Vocational and Continuing Education and Training, and Programme 5: Skills Development.

For the financial year ending March 2016, DHET had planned to deliver on 65 key performance targets; 31 system targets for universities, TVET colleges and SETAs encompassing such areas as access success, governance and administration. Of the 65 key performance targets, DHET had managed to achieve 75% that was 49 targets achieved, whilst the entire system achieved 48% that was 15 of the 31 planned targets. Total allocation for 2015/16 was R41.8 billion that was an increase of 13.5% from the 2014/15 financial year. This included R26 billion for higher education institutions and R6.4 billion for the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Total expenditure excluding direct charges and was increased by 13.4% from R34.8 billion in 2014/15 to R41.7 billion in 2015/16. The spending rate was 99.8%.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training highlighted key achievements. Despite the systemic challenges the university sector had shown improvements in its outputs. The annual number of graduates had increased by 15.4% from 160 625 in 2013/2014. The increase of graduates had surpassed the headcount of enrolment for the same period. The system had also performed well in producing graduates in most of the scarce skills areas, which shows that there were now returns on investments in support of scarce skills. Community colleges were also recently introduced as academic institutions that addressed the gap for students who could be accommodated by neither universities nor the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Other significant achievements was that both the Sol Plaatjie University and the University of Mpumalanga experienced increases in their intake in 2016 comprising of 710 and 1329 additional students respectively, as opposed to the previous modest intake of 124 students at the Sol Plaatjie University and 104 students at the University of Mpumalanga. South Africa’s ninth medical school located at the University of Limpopo opened its doors in January 2016 and its first intake had 60 students. The first phase of the new generation of academic programme had 125 posts advertised and 102 were filled with black South African citizens, of which 55 were female. Enrolments at TVET colleges increased from 345 566 in 2010 to 710 535 in 2015. Work-based learning had increased from 27 346 in 2013/14 to 218 528 in 2015/16. SETAs were also relicensed for a further period of two years until March 2018. The Recognition of Prior Learning was introduced to promote and implement artisan recognition by using prior learnt skills as an active pathway for artisan occupation and qualification.

Key policy strategies in 2015/16 included the function shift of TVET colleges and adult education and training functioned from a provincial to a national level of competence. As a result of transfer of employees from the provincial education departments and TVET colleges, the Department’s post establishment had increased from 790 in 2009 to over 38 000. Other important policy decisions include the process of development was started in the National Plan for Post School Education and Training (PSET) aimed at implementing the White Paper. DHET had developed the policy framework for the realisation of social inclusion in the entire post-school education and training system. This aspect was very important and guidelines, policy and articulation were published. Post-school education and training system would not survive without a strong articulation system as its foundation. DHET had developed and published policy and guidelines on Recognition of Prior Learning, as well as developed an implementation of the higher education and training management information system and the technical and vocational training management information system. This was in conjunction with the development and implementation of a work integrated learning registration system for students that seek work integrated opportunities.

Director General on DHET performance against the Annual Performance Plan
Mr Gwebinkundla Qonde, DHET Director General, said in the PSET system currently the universities had the largest intake of students compared with the college sector. Due to National Development Plan (NDP) and the White Paper ideally the college sector should surpass the university sector with enrolled students, because it would address much needed training and skills by society at large. The NDP targets for 2030 by DHET is to enrol 1.62 university students, 2.5 million TVET college students and 1 million community education and training (CET) students. However, according to Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) there were 3.9 million South African youth aged 18 to 24 that were neither in post-school nor in employment training.

The following were amongst other significant achievements in 2015/16:
• The staff vacancy rate stood at 6.9%, which exceeds the 10% performance target by 3.1%
• Regional Offices became fully functional during 2015/16
• 140 interns were appointed of which 25 have since been appointed in permanent positions
• The Department’s HIV counselling and testing campaign continues to make an impact: 209 employees participated in the campaign
• A draft policy for Career Development Services (CDS) was approved and widely consulted and presented in the Social Protection, Community and Human Capital Development Cluster in July 2015
• Provision of free information, guidance and advice services was made available through the Career Development Helpline. A total of 30 196 queries were recorded and attended to during 2015/16
• Facilitation of scholarship opportunities offered to South Africans for studies abroad e.g. Russia, Sweden, France, and South Korea
• Establishment of the work integrated learning: More than 400 students and 5 employers have registered since 2 March 2016
• A list of Occupations in High Demand was approved by the Minister and gazetted in January 2016
• The VCET Branch was dissolved and split into 2 new branches from April 2016, namely, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Programme 4); and Community Education and Training (Programme 6)
• 29 standardised financial policies were developed for TVET Colleges which will contribute to enhanced and strengthened internal controls at these institutions when approved and implemented by the College Councils.
• 28 standardised financial policies were also developed for CET Colleges
• Nine CET Colleges and College Councils were established and inaugurated by the Minister.
The Minister has approved the curriculum and regulations on the conduct, administration and management of an assessment for the NASCA - A Qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework.
• SETAs were re-instated for a further two-year period until 31 March 2018. The NSDS III and the tenure of all SETA Accounting Authorities were also extended for the same period
• Consultation workshops for the proposed SETA landscape held in various provinces with stakeholders
• A SETA Panel to review SETA Sector Skills Plans, Strategic Plans, APPs and Annual Reports appointed
• 22 Strategic Plans and APPs (21 SETAs and QCTO) were approved by the Minister and tabled
• The proposal for a New National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) landscape within the context of an Integrated and Differentiated PSET System (NSLP-2015) was published for public comment
• The Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) Policy, Criteria and Guidelines were published
• The first National Regulations for trade testing were approved and published in May 2015.

Programme Performance in 2015/16
Mr D Mgibi, Director: Strategic Planning, DHET, presented the  performance per programme:

Programme 1: Administration
Programme 1 had six planned targets and three targets (50%) were achieved, which were:
- 93.1% of approved funded positions have been filled, 3.1% above target
- Information Communication Technology procurement plan was approved.
- All audit issues were attended to and addressed

Unachieved targets for Programme 1 were:
- An average of 180 days from recruitment requisition received until appointment recommendation made. It took an average of 221.25 days to process appointments. Reasons for underperformance were due to lack of capacity in the Recruitment and Selection Unit; delays due to the unavailability of panel members when dates were identified and coordinated by the Recruitment and Selection Committee, the delays in submission of documents for advertising from line managers and approval of adverts for placement.
- 100% of disciplinary cases resolved within 90 days. Only 47% of cases were resolved within 90 days. The underperformance was due to the postponement of cases.
- 30 days to pay creditors. Responsible managers settled valid invoices within 30 days except for delays in some due to slow connection of the BAS system and late submission of invoices for payment.

Programme 2: Human Resource Development, Planning and Monitoring Coordination
Programme 2 had nine targets and five targets (56%) were achieved, which were:
- A Policy and guidelines on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) developed and gazetted.
- Developed “iWIL” registration system on Internet for learners seeking work integrated learning opportunities and firms wanting to provide work-integrated learning
- A flexible model of learning delivery conceptualised and strategy developed for implementation in 2016/17.
- A prototype of a learning management system for open learning system developed together with materials for two programmes identified for piloting in 2016/17 onwards.
- Published an Annual Post-School Statistical Report

Unachieved targets for Programme 2 were:
- Minister to approve a policy framework on disability. Draft Framework was developed and approved by Minister. However the delay in the finalisation was due to lengthy consultation process.
- Publish a policy framework on social inclusion.
- Publish Annual Report on Skills Supply and Demand.
- Draft polices were developed and published in government gazette for public comments. The SEIAS process introduced in August 2015 impacted on finalisation of the policy on time due to the required lengthy consultation process. Further consultation requested by the Minister.

- Gazette a policy and guidelines on articulation
The first draft report was completed on 10 December 2015, and circulated to the peer reviewers on 11 December 2015. The annual report has been extended for publication to the end of June 2016.

Programme 3: University Education
There were 20 planned targets, 18 of the targets (90%) were achieved, which were:
- Policy on provision of student housing at public universities and minimum norms and standards published
- Revised regulations for PHEIs was approved and published for implementation
- An Evaluation report on the HEAIDS programme for 2014/15 approved by Director-General
- A Report on the analysis of financial indicators of university annual reports approved by DG
- A Report on effective use of the foundation provision grant for 23 universities approved by DG
- A report on the effective use of the 2014/15 teaching development grant approved by DG
- An evaluation report on effective use of Research Development Grant in 2014/15 approved by DG
- An assessment Report on the effective use of infrastructure grants for 24 universities was approved by DG
- An assessment Report on the effective use of 2 new universities earmarked grants was approved by DG
- An annual report on the research outputs of 24 universities was published on the Department website
- An annual monitoring report on PHEIs’ compliance with regulations was approved by DG
- An annual evaluation report on the Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework was approved by DG
 -Institutional governance capacity development programme review report approved by DG
- Teaching and Learning Development Capacity Improvement Programme approved by DG
- A Student Leadership capacity development strategy and programme approved and implemented
- Enterprise Architecture for the Central Applications Service was approved by the Minister
- 2005 to 2008 First-time entering undergraduate cohort analyses report published on HET website
- A Report on the 2015 BRICS Academic Forum and Think Tank partnerships approved by Minister.

Unachieved targets for Programme 3:
- Annual report on achievement of ministerial enrolment targets to be approved by Minister by 31 March 2016. The draft report had been produced. The delay in finalising the report within the timeframe was due to preparations for the mid-term review workshop on Enrolment Planning.
- Revised Higher Education Act promulgated by 31 March 2016. The Bill was not promulgated as planned. The parliamentary process in finalising the Bill for promulgation was not within the control of the Department.

Programme 4: Vocational and Continuing Education and Training
 Programme 4 had 15 planned targets and 13 targets (87%) were achieved, which were
- Governance and policies for TVET Colleges were approved by DG
- Staffing norms and standards for CETCs were approved by Minister
- Conduct policy for National Senior Certificate for Adults were approved by Minister
- Guidelines for standardised implementation of Occupational Programmes were approved by Minister
- Policy directives for TVET College Information Technology systems were approved by DG
- Governance policies for Community colleges were approved by DG
- TVET Colleges monitoring, evaluation and support model was reviewed and approved by DG
- Two monitoring and evaluation reports on VCET institutions were approved by DG
- Annual teaching and learning support plan for the VCET system approved by DG
- Protocol on the secondment of sector specialist to work in TVET Colleges and lecturers exposed to the work place was approved by Minister
- Student support service annual plan was approved by DG
- Policy directives for TVET College Information Technology systems was approved by DG
- A strategy on strategic partnerships with key stakeholders was approved by DG

Unachieved targets for Programme 4:
- Develop a Macro infrastructure and maintenance plan for CETCs. No plan was developed. The CET Colleges do not have their own infrastructure therefore maintenance is not possible. The CETC was using rented space; therefore maintenance remains the responsibility of the landlord.
- Six TVET college campuses built. One site was at 99% completion and the other two were 50%. Extensive changes to earthwork requirements, inclement weather and labour issues impacted on the progress.

Also, the following performance indicators could not be monitored, as data was not readily available for monitoring and reporting:
- Throughput rate
- Funded NC (V) L4 students obtaining qualifications within stipulated time
- Students accommodated in public TVET colleges

Programme 5: Skills Development
Programme 5 had 15 planned targets and 10 targets (67%) were achieved, which were:
- Governance charter for SETAs was approved by the Minister
- SETAs Governance standards were approved by the Minister
- Reviewed SETA landscape was approved by the Minister
- A reviewed National Skills development strategy was approved by the Minister
- Workplace based learning policy was approved by DG
- SETA monitoring report on skills development were approved by DG x 4
- National artisan learners trade test pass rate (including INDLELA): 54%

Unachieved targets for Programme 5:
- Approval of the Occupational team policy recommendations. These were only tabled at a senior management meeting. Approval process took longer than anticipated.
- An average of 80 days from trade test application received until trade test conducted. INDLELA has historically been the only state aided trade test centre charging minimum fees for candidates. This has caused most financially disadvantaged candidates nationally to flock to INDLELA for trade testing.
- Design and approval of a single national artisan development information management system. System documentation was completed but software development was not achieved due to lack of capacity at SITA.
- 29 750 new artisan learners registered nationally. Only 28 640 new artisan learners were registered and some employer data had not been reported through the SETAs and could not be validated.
- 20 110 new artisans qualified per annum. Only 16 114 new artisans were qualified and delayed appointment of extra assessors had an impact in not meeting this target, as well as some employer data had not been reported through the SETAs and could not be validated.

Financial Report
Mr Theuns Tredoux, Chief Financial Officer, DHET, did not present the full report because of its length. It was cited on pages 175-201 in the Annual Report which provided the financial affairs of DHET, including a summary of significant events, key policy decisions, spending trends, services provided, capacity constraints and organisational arrangements as well as the corporate governance arrangements within DHET.

He said the Internal Audit Committee was satisfied with the operations of DHET in terms of effectiveness of internal controls, the quality of reporting in terms of PFMA requirements and the operations of Internal Audit and Risk Management within the Department.  
 
The Department received an unqualified audit opinion for its financial accountability. However, there were significant uncertainties:
- As disclosed in Note 21 to the financial statements, the large increase in contingent liabilities was attributable to the possible pension liability of 500 TVET college staff transferred in April 2015. There are uncertainties for the possible pension liability of R96.773 million as calculated by actuarial valuators.
- Predetermined Objectives for Programme 4: Vocational and Continuing Education and Training – 48% of indicators were not verifiable and 48% of targets were not measurable. Unable to obtain information on the reliability of reported performance information.

On matters of non-compliance with legislative requirements:
- Public Financial Management Act (PFMA): Misstatements in the financial statements on Compensation of Employees (transfer of provincial staff), Commitments, Employee Benefits, Irregular Expenditure and Contingent Liabilities.
- Procurement procedures in awarding contracts and quotations to suppliers without tax clearance certificates and the awarding of a contract to a bidder that did not score the highest points
- Public Service Regulations: Insufficient verification processes before appointments are made
- Internal Control: Insufficient controls for TVET and CET function shift, action plans not in all instances addressing prior year reported internal control deficiencies, inadequate consequence management, insufficient internal controls, policies and procedures to ensure that disclosure notes to the financial statements were accurate and complete and inadequate verification and monitoring over its entities.

The Final Appropriation was estimated at R57 billion, but the actual expenditure was R56 billion, resulting in a variance of R84 million that was under-spent. That variation derived from the voted funds, because due to the transfer of provincial staff and the unprecedented employment within the TVET sector, an amount was appropriated for employment. However, after recruitment it was realised that the amount set aside for the additional employment was an inflated amount, and coupled with vacancies in key roles such as CFO, the amount necessary was R84 million less.

The under-expenditure per program was explained. Examples were:
• Programme 1: Administration: R8.139 million
Slow filling of vacant posts due to large volumes of applications received and concomitant savings on goods and services as well as machinery and equipment
• Programme 2: HRD Planning and Monitoring Coordination: R3.230 million
Slow filling of vacant posts due to large volumes of applications received; Outstanding invoices for litigation matters not received in time; and IBSA transfer as no invoice was received for services rendered
• Programme 5: Skills Development: R649 000
Natural attrition and slow filling of vacant posts due to large volumes of applications received

Progress on the action plan to improve audit findings was being monitored on a bi-weekly basis and are reported by each Branch Head to the DG and regular reports will be submitted to the Minister and the Audit Committee upon request.

The Departmental surplus increased due to the function shift and the slow filling of identified critical posts due to the large volumes of applications received, late submission of TVET performance assessments for 2014/15, the moratorium placed on the filling of vacant posts in the TVET sector; and retained funds from the TVET colleges to cover uncertainties with the function shift as previously noted. This was not a negative position as the spend for the Department was 99.9% of the total allocation. However when the results of provisions, accruals and commitments are taken into account, the Department did overspend.

The Report of the Accounting Officer emphasised capacity constraints in DHET. Yet the current pressures on the economy and the limitations placed on the utilisation of resources could result in a similar outcome in 2016/17. Since key pressures were also experienced due to the additional responsibilities from the TVET and Adult Education and Training function shift, the monitoring was currently weak of the entire PSET system and operational activities at the Department.

Discussion:
Ms M Nkadimeng (ANC) noted from the audit report, one of the three root causes of poor audit performance was instability of vacancies in key positions, for instance, there were positions of Chief Financial Officer in TVET colleges that were unfilled. It took an average of 221,25 days to process appointments, but the target was 180 days. It resulted in a financial deviation of R8.139 million, because of the slow filling of vacant posts. What was the consequence management plan put in place to rectify this poor performance?

Mr C Kekana (ANC) said that even though the universities enjoyed institutional autonomy, the government was liable, thus how does the independence of universities affect DHET assessment of its performance and financial accounting? It was impressive that the performance of universities was 65% given the difficult circumstances. However, if heard correctly, the performance of the TVET and CET colleges was only 30%, due to the migration of staff members. When would this 30% by the college sector be overcome?

Mr E Siwela (ANC) commended the unqualified audit that DHET received. 50% of the targets of Programme 1 were not achieved and some of the reasons listed the lack of capacity in the Recruitment and Selection Unit, and delays experienced due to the unavailability of panel members. Yet under the same Programme 1 there had been an increase in expenditure for ‘travel and subsistence’. He asked why so much allowance on travel and subsistence was warranted. Secondly, according to the audit findings, a contract was awarded which was a deviation. Why would that be and how could such a deviation exist when there were laws to adhere to? Also, on page 250 in the Annual Report, who benefitted from the over-payment shown?

Mr M Mbatha (EFF) appreciated the Report and the presence of the Minister as well as the clergymen, and appealed to keep the safety of protesting students in prayer. He commented that DHET said recruitment took 221 days and the underperformance was due to capacity constraints, but DHET had not given sufficient explanation on how it would correct this for faster recruitment. DHET had over 38 000 staff members, surely the recruitment could go faster, or should slow recruitment be assumed as a trend, especially for the TVET college sector? Also, the DG said that DHET would like the college sector to overtake the university sector, yet compliance to the government standards by the TVET colleges were only 33% neither were 100% of those colleges conducting the national examinations. If the college sector could not produce 40-50% compliance to government standards, was not the political vision bigger than its pragmatism?

Mr M Khawula (IFP) asked what strides were taken by DHET to reduce the temporary staff hired as consultants or other out-sourcing. Those consultants could have been permanently employed to reduce vacancies. Also, how would this be achieved without relying on surplus funding?

Mr Y Cassim (DA) noted there were perpetual audit findings of targets set in the Annual Performance Plan that were not SMART. What exactly had DHET done to address the APPs of its entities and its lack of alignment to the SMART criteria? Also, what exactly was done to address capacity shortfalls, if any? Lastly, at the beginning of the year, thousands of students were registered with ‘financial exemption’ with the promise that government would make amends to these institutions, but there was no support given to the students by the government after registration. These were poor students who were eligible for NSFAS. As a result, those students have accumulated debt with NFAS and may still be financially excluded at the end of the year, due to the neglected payment of Expected Family Contribution of NSFAS loans that the academic institutions had expected. Earlier this year, the Minister had denied claims of the existence of financial exempted students. What was the extent of under-funding for students that qualified to receive NSFAS loans and require to be covered? What was the extent of their accumulated debt and how would DHET ensure further funding and financial support to prohibit financial exclusion?

Dr B Bozzoli (DA) noted that she was very unhappy with the session and commented that there was no mention of the current crisis in higher education at all in the presentation. What was the public opinion of MPs, the county’s public representatives, who continued discussion on higher education but ignored the current war on the academic campuses? We cannot continue like this. The hard work of the financial year and consequently these presentations were appreciated, but ten days ago, she had called for an emergency Portfolio Committee meeting with the Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Finance and the Minister of Police, but it had been ignored. It was very clear that Parliament and the public meet to be informed about the State’s plan and to account for how the sector has been neglected over the years. Information was needed on the agreement was to pay for all the fee increases for all students whose families household earnings were under R600 000 per annum and from where the funds will come; what would be done about violent offenders on campuses; how many universities are closed and when will they re-open, and numerous other things. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee and the chief whip ignored my call, reminders and two public statements on this matter. This was an arrogant response. If this is an indication of how the ANC behave in Parliament and treat their fellow parliamentarians that represent millions of people, then let us not be surprised that the country is in turmoil.

Dr Bozzoli said the same response was received from Parliament when officials held a debate last night on Higher Education, but the Minister of Higher Education and neither half of the ANC corporate bothered to attend. In the ten days since my call for a special meeting, the country had seen a deterioration of the situation at universities; with violent demonstrations by protesters in the streets, with battles between the police and protesters, and of course more closures of universities. She said she had received hundreds of messages from parents, students and the general public. However, as far as the public was concerned, we as the parliamentary committee were dead silent and we received dead silence on the matter from those who account to us, such as the Minister of Higher Education and Training as well as the President. She said a crisis of this magnitude warrants the country an address by the President, but instead he was sitting in Kenya. The Portfolio Committee may call anybody to account to it - we can call any minister or even the President himself. We do not use what powers we have to put action into effect. The ANC has turned our government into a bureaucratic machine and it is seen happening in the middle of a war. We are no longer the vehicle that answers to the public. Accordingly, she reiterated her call for a special parliamentary portfolio committee meeting to be urgently convened. That Portfolio Committee meeting should be attended by the Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Finance and the Minister of Police, because they had to account to us as we represent the public and they must account to the public - not the students, not the academic staff, not the Vice-Chancellors, but the public. I would also suggest that the Vice-Chancellors and SRC of those universities that remain closed come and explain to us why they are still closed and when they intend opening them. She also suggested that we invite the Davis Tax Committee to come and explain possible means of funding. “I say shame on the ANC that occupy senior positions in Parliament for stifling this meeting and shame on the government for failing to keep the public fully aware and informed about the situation where universities are dysfunctional”.

Ms L Dlamini (ANC) commented that the speech made by Dr Bozzoli was relevant for item five on the agenda and that the focus was the Annual Report. The presentation of the Annual Report was appreciated. The understanding of planning was that whatever was decided upon had gone through a panel first and by the time it reaches Parliament it was assured that it could be achieved. The reasons given by DHET for not achieving the targets for recruitment were insufficient. Also, DHET had in fact overspent, but targets were not met, had that meant that the Department under-budgeted for its targets? On the achievements and performance of the universities, which aspects exactly were being monitored to achieve the findings? Also, the student protests #FeesMustFall of 2015 caused unprecedented money to be spent to cover 0% increase on fees for 2016 that was initially not budgeted for. Yet in the presentation there was no indication of the magnitude of unforeseen funds spent. Therefore, was the budget adjusted to incorporate the money spent for 0% increase on fees?
 
Mr Khawula questioned whether there was correlation between the intake numbers of students versus the increase of funds for those that required sponsorship. It would inevitably cause further crises, if the budget could not match the increased intake and financially accommodate them. It was agreed that the reasons cited for non-achievement of targets were unacceptable. With reference to the achievement of 19 124 graduates for 2015/16 against a target of 17 500, the concern was the quality of the graduates produced, On the over-expenditure on slide 35, where had the money derived from as the target was to financially assist 200 000 TVET college students, but it had assisted 298 457 students instead. Lastly, having so many auditees falter with their compliance to legislation, was it not questionable of the integrity of the system?

Ms M Moshodi (ANC) asked what mechanism was in place to reduce the backlog of 53% disciplinary hearings on slide 11. How many of the appointed 140 interns, of whom 25 were placed in permanent positions, were women?

Ms P Samka (ANC) queried page 44 of the Annual Report that noted a phase 1 report was submitted to the Minister. The report detailed the outcome of the forensics investigation on fraud and corruption discovered in the allocations of the NSFAS funding. Had the Minister considered the report, and if so, when would the report be published? She requested the DHET provide the Joint Committees with the phase 1 report.

Ms T Mpambo-Sibhukwana (DA) asked that due to the current protests, what measures of intervention were in place for the current matriculants.

Ms J Kilian (ANC) appreciated the presentation. She advised that the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee inform the Committee of the letter received from Dr Bozzoli and its request. The perpetrators of the violent protest action seen on campuses should be apprehended. Unfortunately there were already two withdrawn cases. Even though the matter was to be dealt with sensitive caution, it was explicit that political opportunism was within the protests. Hopefully the student protests could be discussed later in the meeting and if the Minister could be present for that, it would be appreciated, so that everyone could be informed about the latest developments and how DHET was going to deal with the perpetrators. The protest action not only puts pressure on DHET, but on families too. Ultimately hospitals would suffer the lack of new doctors recruited from 2017 onwards if they were not allowed to graduate in 2016. Clearly a resolution of the problem was necessary, but the focus for now was the Annual Report.

Ms Kilian said the Annual Report highlighted capacity constraints, and that related to funding and human resources. The merging of the TVET college sector into the Department had resulted in a huge escalation of staff costs. Were the right people in the right positions? Has DHET conducted a skills gap analysis to ensure that the right people were allocated to the correct positions? If not, when oversight was conducted the opportunity to correct recurring errors or even new ones, would be missed. The AGSA had been very critical of DHET. The SETAs had shown improvement and since the format used by the SETAs would be applicable up until 2018, the wasteful expenditure of W&RSETA required intervention, because it was a waste of the public funds. What was the cause of the waste and why were they not accountable to stop it? On the TVET College sector it was imperative that before more funds were granted to it a legislative framework was first enforced that it was obligated to comply to. The Audit Report had indicated that some of the TVET colleges had not submitted their financial statements, and some not on time. This had shown an escalation of late submissions as well as an escalation of supply chain management matters. It can no longer be allowed, but has to be regulated and consequence management enforced. This shall prove burdensome to the Department, thus does DHET have the capacity to monitor this? What was the status on the vacancies of key positions in TVET? It was understood that budget constraints and uncertainties regarding the migration of the TVET college sector from provincial government had played a role. Under those circumstances, it was commendable that DHET managed a very tight ship. It was presumed that some of the officials hardly have a private life and have had to work overtime. However, the Joint Committees have had to be thoroughly informed too. Since expansion of access of the college sector could not occur, neither could the SETAs be expanded if it was uncertain if the funds allocated to them were spent correctly. The pressure on the university system would only be lowered should the college education and training system executes sufficient competence that citizens could acquire the necessary practical skills and training without having to obtain a qualification from a university. The performance of the universities and their improvements were praiseworthy given the difficult operational circumstances. However, to ensure that the college sector would overtake dominance, the TVET college sector has to become better regulated.

Ms L Zwane (ANC), Chairperson of the Select Committee, remarked on the allegation that Parliament was insensitive to the student protest, was untrue, because Parliament was gravely concerned. Parliament was not abstract in space; it existed amongst communities and society and was affected. MPs themselves were parents and some had children who were students at universities. Many forces were at play regarding the protests and it should not be accepted at face value. Therefore the concern about fees was included on the agenda, when ordinarily only the DHET Annual Report should have been deliberated on. It was presumed that the student protests was going to be raised as tabled in the agenda. There should not be blame for perceived inactivity, as the level best was being done. The request that had been forwarded should undergo the relevant processes.

Ms Zwane asked if DHET senior managers had signed their performance agreements and if not, why was that the case and when would they sign their performance agreements? The rate of resignations was alarming even though it was not quantified as a percentage yet, but the total given was worrisome. Why was the Department experiencing such a high volume of exits? When exit interviews were conducted, what were the reasons given for their departure? The concern was that upon their departure DHET was losing skills. The other concern was the slow rate of certification within the TVET sector. Perhaps if funds prohibited the students from achieving their certification they should be granted employment in their field of artisan or trade in the interim, on the basis that the student would achieve their certification within a period of three months or so, rather than the students be rendered unemployable. If this was the decade of the artisan was the budget of DHET structured to address it? What was the amount of funds held in custody by the TVET colleges that was for the CET colleges? Once the audit was done, who took accountability and what mechanisms were in place to ensure that the CET colleges were also capacitated to administrate their own financial affairs? Lastly, it was indicated that the space that CET colleges were using was rented space. Were there plans by DHET to build structures for CET colleges instead, because renting was not an investment of the money spent?

Ms C September (ANC), Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, asked the Minister about the status of the recommendations in the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR) by the Portfolio Committee this time last year? The recommendations were even noted by the Minister of Finance. How were those recommendations implemented?

The Minister requested that a synopsis of the recommendations given by the Portfolio Committee be submitted in writing. If requested by the Committee, a meeting could be arranged to present on it.

Ms September answered that a follow-up would be appreciated and a joint session would be arranged.

Mr Qonde noted that Members had asked over 40 questions. DHET shall give their present level best, but may respond in writing as well should the answers given not entirely satisfy. The university sector required a 6% increase, but due to the 0% increase, funds totalling R2.09 billion was absorbed by the students’ demand. There was also historic debt of 71 000 that amounted to R2.4 billion. For those students who were NSFAS beneficiaries but had outstanding balances of Expected Family Contribution (EFC), DHET had instructed the academic institutions not to refuse their academic registration for 2016 and the institutions were requested to submit the estimated amount. The collective owing balance for students was finalised by Treasury and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), it was estimated at R1.5 billion and was already made available. The current setback was the administrative processes between the universities and NSFAS. Hence the money was there, the delay was that NSFAS still had to rollout the money to the relevant recipients, but the universities were made aware of this by NSFAS. On the artisan question: nationally R4.6 billion but it would be elaborated on by CFO with respect to time.

The Chairperson agreed that many of the questions should be answered in writing.

Mr Tredoux replied that proper answers would be quite detailed and would be sent in writing. However, of the critical questions, an over-payment was queried and even though written details would be provided for, a summary of the transfer that resulted in overcompensation of salaries could be explained as follows: Once DHET had transferred staff members for the TVET college sector it had discovered that there were employees who were underpaid and the corrections affected the newly inflated expenditure on salaries. The particulars of the affected staff members shall be provided. Also, after the financial year, DHET, not the Auditor-General, had discovered incorrect payments made to staff members and those instances were currently being investigated to determine the actual reasons for the amounts applicable. In terms of the bidder who came second, the details were quite substantial and shall be sent in writing. This morning questions were raised about the monitoring and evaluation of DHET entities and how DHET had ensured assessment. The entities were accountable for the synopsis of their audit outcomes, because they were independent institutions in terms of their accounting reporting, but DHET does have very critical responsibilities regarding Treasury Regulation 8.4, which deals with the monitoring and evaluation of the information and the functioning of those entities, especially when funds were transferred to them. On those areas that specifically required monitoring and evaluation by DHET, in its entities, TVET colleges and the universities, the results could be provided to the Joint Committees. The rest of the questions posed shall be answered in writing.

Higher Education Parents’ Dialogue
Mr Irvin Phenyane, Higher Education Parents Dialogue (HEPARD) explained that the student protests were not about a fee crisis as it was about imploding the system to start anew. The students that they had deliberated with had blatantly told them that the minds of the HEPARD members were meant to be decolonized. What has complicated discussion with students was that there were no appointed leaders amongst them for accountability and reliance, but that the protestors had insisted that everyone involved were leaders. Although there might be virtue in that sentiment, diplomacy was necessary for effective resolution.

He noted that as the parent representatives, they sought a peaceful sustainable solution to the current impasse between the students, the university principals, and the Department of Higher Education on the demands of the students. It was believed that there should be an immediate end to violent protests, and that all the parties should be willing to create a climate of peace, which will enable the resumption of talks, and to agree on the process and “rules of engagement” to resolve internal issues (campus by campus), and national issues (those that require direct government response).

Parents would like to see the following, on each campus:
- The students and the university management should agree to facilitated talks or mediation, to get towards restoring normality on the campuses
- An independent mediator or facilitator to be appointed for this purpose
- Re-opening of all campuses that are closed
- How lost study time will be recovered, and when exams will be written
- The removal of security from campuses
- To continue to engage on other outstanding campus based internal issues
- To be part of a national process to talk/negotiate about the demands for free education and other national concerns.

Mr Phenyane advised that HEPARD had the following short-term resolutions:
1. Deployment of HEPARD and church leadership in tackling hotspot universities in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KZN and Limpopo
2. HE Parents becoming a direct stakeholder in the current Higher Education Crisis.
3. Getting churches and business behind HEPARD.
4. Community leaders intervening to save the 2016 Higher Education Academic Year.
5. Consulting and mobilising civil society to assist in mediation, facilitation and dialogue.
6. Agree on a provincial programme of interventions
7. Achieve minimum agreements on what to be communicated to SA after the Imbizo
8. Agree on meeting programmes and agenda when meeting students, universities and government.

He noted that HEPARD has the following expectations:
• Political parties in the National Assembly and NCOP give clear directions and support for peaceful resolution. We invite all political parties to engage with us in our mediation efforts nationally and provincially.
• The National Assembly and NCOP convene a special sitting. Trickling to provincial legislatures
• Provincial legislatures to note that this has implications on basic education.
• Public consultations to assist in achieving stability of Higher Education
• Assume the attitude of a national crisis, requiring national consensus
• We will be engaging with the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Higher Education, the outcomes of which may or may not have fiscal implications.

Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa, South African Council of Churches (SACC) president, explained that the partnership between the parents and pastors was that the pastors had absorbed the pain of the parents. There were Vice-Chancellors as well as students who were in pain. Hence the request was made to the President for the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Higher Education, so that there was a platform, perhaps outside of the glare of the media, for heart-to-heart discussion on the issues and their impacts. Some students had wanted a time-frame, but others requested what was feasible and possible. The pressures from each university were not the same. Therefore, there was pursuit to identify what the national issues were.

Minister of Higher Education and Training Closing Remarks
Minister Blade Nzimande noted that the following day he has a whole day presentation to Judge Heher and it required that he fly to Johannesburg. Although DHET had given their input, the judge had required engagement and input specifically from the Ministry. But for that obligation, the Minister was willing to have engaged further until midnight if it was necessary. DHET was legally required to table their Annual Report in Parliament. It was a legal requirement that could not be overtaken by any other unforeseen happenings. If it were not adhered too, it would be a failure of the Executive Authority. It was not a matter of selection, if the student protest crisis was presented first, the allegation would then be that it was an alibi not to present the Annual Report. Some Members here cannot have their cake, eat it and try to grandstand, whilst simultaneously preventing the crisis at hand. All of which were the current challenges of DHET.

The Minister also noted that he had a meeting with the Chairperson of HEPARD and his colleagues, because DHET had welcomed parents’ input on the fees, since the Department had shared the concern that there was no parental incentive to combat the current crisis. Historically, student struggles were seen as an alliance between students, workers and parents. Thus, the inclusion of HEPARD was crucial and its initiative was welcomed by DHET. The Department agreed with the observation made by HEPARD that there was a multiplicity of interests around the #FeesMustFall. Some of it was very opportunistic; others were narrow-party political agendas, and there were those who wanted to express anger against the government. Yet amongst the initiatives from the parents there were divided views, because some parents had sided with the students irrespective of what the government had explained as well as others were angry at the government too. As a country, a platform was necessary to unite the leadership of the initiatives so that its measures of intervention would be effective.

Minister Nzimande admitted that he was unsure about an exact resolution for the #FeesMustFall, because even though one solution was available it was difficult to implement, since there was over 20 different groupings of student leaders. When he requested to meet with the student leaders, the protesting students had refused, which invokes difficulty, due to there being no diplomacy. Government had engaged quite extensively on the matter. A briefing to the Portfolio Committee was made; engagements had started the Consultation Process, and public announcements were made that announced a framework that was not definitive regulation for universities, but a mere framework for fee adjustments and technically there were not fee increases. There was a wide consensus regarding what was necessary. The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training (Fees Commission) gave an interim intervention by Government stating that NSFAS recipients should have both their fees and the adjustments covered 100%, which meant that the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) was eradicated and so prohibited financial exclusion. Also, there was a category called the missing middle, which was combination of the working class and lower-middle class income whose household income per annum could not qualify them for a NFAS loan, but neither could they afford higher education. For the first time, it was reviewed although the figure was not final, that students, who derive from households whose combined income was up to R50 000 per month, did not have to pay the fee adjustment. That alone constitutes 75% of undergraduate students in South Africa. For some universities, it would comprise of more than 90% of their registered students, such as University of Zululand, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Limpopo. Not paying the fee adjustment was now applicable to TVET colleges too. DHET urges that the parents who could afford the fee adjustment should do so as well as the wealthy. Now, the assumption was that the academic programme for the year would proceed without interruption, whilst the Fees Commission investigated a national financial resolution. Yet in this meeting DHET was urged to timely resolve the disputes. However, it was agreed with HEPARD that it was within the mandate of DHET to ensure that the academic year of 2016 was completed.

The Minister noted that it was pleasing that Parliament had invited stakeholders such as the parents to deliberate on the fee crisis. There were other stakeholders, similar to HEPARD, who could also be invited to deliberate at Parliament, such as the Vice-Chancellors or Chairmen. However, the continual plea was the PSET system was broader than universities. Let it be reminded. The Director General noted earlier that there were 3.9 million South African youth aged 18 to 24 that were neither in post-school nor in employment training, who also require opportunities. There was also the TVET college sector too. With these in mind, it should be considered that the landscape of the PSET system not be transformed by repercussions of unintended consequences for others also involved but overlooked. South Africa required a larger college sector than the university sector. An Imbizo was convened on 3 October 2016 that was quite broad due to the inter-faith representation that included Christian, Jewish and Muslim representation. On 30 August 2016 a meeting with similar structures was held and on 27 September 2016 he had a meeting with a new organization National Board of Convocations and Alumni which originated from the common desire to contribute to a resolution of the current crisis. The Imbizo of the 3 October had attendees from the Premier Soccer League and Traditional Healers as well. Each of the 26 SRC representatives and their Vice- Chancellors were present too. It was a huge inclusive meeting that adopted a declaration published on 9 October in the City Press. Everyone presented adopted the Declaration, even the students who complained thereafter. He urged the Committees to go over the published Declaration, especially since it had aimed to include the widest range of South Africans possible.

Minister Nzimande said it should be noted that the students have tended to shift their appeals to authority throughout the protesting. First they appealed to the Minister then when the answers were not what they expected, the students then wanted to engage with Treasury or the President, and even then if the responses were unacceptable to them, they would want to undermine this by then appealing to the Minster. It was an ongoing to-and-fro of shifting the goal-posts. He urged the Joint Committees that whatever was decided upon by Parliament should be clearly end-cut. Lastly, it is important that a proper categorization of the different stances is achieved. It seems that the end result may always be disputable, but it was important that it was discussed. DHET had agreed with HEPARD that there were forces that have had no interest in completing their academic year, but preferred the catastrophe that would follow a national loss of the 2016 academic year, because they were hoping for political gain out of such a catastrophe. When categorizing it was important that the nature of the challenge was not underestimated, but simultaneously it should not be exaggerated to such an extent that it becomes irresolvable. Hence a careful balance was necessary in the pursuit of fee resolution.

DHET delegation final comments
Dr Diane Parker, Deputy Director General: University Education, noted that DHET had been very disturbed about what is happening across the system and has been in communication with universities on daily basis to try and understand which reasons motivated it. The presentation given by HEPARD was very accurate in terms of the way in which things have unfolded. For DHET it was clear that because goalposts kept shifting, whatever was agreed to, was then not agreed to the next day. There will always be a new concern the next day, until a national solution for this was given. As DHET had scrutinized the system it was discovered that there were a number of institutions, approximately three or four that were operating fairly normally, for instance Walter Sisulu University and the University of Johannesburg. Then there were institutions that had experienced difficulty but had continued to operate and have not shut their doors completely. However, there were about five specific universities that experienced major problems. For instance, last night at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Bellville, two security guards were locked in a building that was set alight. This was a very difficult issue. The building set alight was the university's security control centre. On the one hand it is barbaric and on the other hand it is a real indictment of the current state of affairs. DHET agreed that militant resistance was not to be used. The universities were trying to protect the right of education of the majority of their students, because the student protestors comprised approximately 5% of the registered student population. However even though such a minority, those students were very violent and very loud and it was clear that they want the system to implode. It is true that there were different issues on each campus, for example, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences the students asked for a 0% increase, but had not demanded ‘no fees’, but the students at WITS had demanded entirely ‘no fees’. There were so many underlying issues. DHET required a solution that deals with this as a crisis, but as cited by the Minister it was important that the country makes a statement about the way forward. Everyone was calling for different things. The government proposed progressively introducing free higher education for the poor and was moving towards supporting the ‘missing middle’ students, but that was not going to be enough, how do we deal with this issue and go forward?

Discussion
Ms September, the Chairperson, noted that the concern of everyone was whether the academic year of 2016 could finish. It was also clear that the general consensus was, could we find peace in our land?

Ms Kilian requested that a distinction be made between the legitimate students and those just involved in the protest action. Further information about those involved was required, especially since the video footage of protests was creating such a bad impression of our country. A review of legitimate concerns was necessary, because the profile of each university was different. Whether it was a concern about insufficient accommodation or other such concerns - was the crisis worth sacrificing a whole academic year?

Mr Kekana asked that if many of those protesting were not students, but were clearly angry with the government, what the way forward was.

Mr Siwela commented that the ripple effect of protests might result in a negative impact on the country as a whole. The government was taking steps to ensure free education for the poor, even though NSFAS was not at its current best. Also, every political party should show restraint and work towards a national solution with the government without advocating a utopia or fuelling the flames of uncertainty.

Mr N Khubisa (NFP) commented that currently the country was in a bad state, and to resolve the matter everyone should exercise leadership. South Africa should seek a solution to salvage the education year and save the country from the economic repercussions of what has become a national crisis. Amongst the protesters there were opportunists, but there were also legitimate concerns about funding that motivated protest action. Whatever the reason, the academic year cannot lapse without level progression or graduation. Parliament should convene specifically on the matter and should issue a statement to the nation. The short solution was to save the academic year, but the long-term solution would require further discourse with the public.

Mr Mbatha commented that every generation had youth struggles, but what has happened in this instance was that the government was caught off guard. The EFF fought for free undergraduate funding and as its representative he was not going to be overwhelmed by voices that criminalized the struggle of young people.

Mr Khawula appreciated the presentation, and advised that government should not promise what it cannot deliver - practical solutions were required.

Dr Bozzoli appreciated the presentation, it was exactly what she had called for, and not only of the parents, but of other stakeholders as well and she proposed that the initially called meeting should take place. The concern posed was that when mediators are appointed, it was imperative that experienced mediators were used, because in the discourse with students they had been easily intimidated in the debate. When were the closed universities reopening, because some universities such as UCT were unnecessarily closed?

Ms Dlamini requested that the clergymen present pray for divine intervention, and appealed to the students not destroy the property of the academic institutions, because it costs money to rebuild. Also, her concern was the selective views of the media that reflected the ANC as irresponsible and this was exacerbating the situation.

Prof C Msimang (IFP) appreciated the presentation and commented that if the public could approach HEPARD and SACC for a voice, surely they could approach parliamentarians as well. It need not reach a point that only once South Africa was burning, they would enquire from the President, the Minister and Members of Parliament. It was crucial to save the academic year. The Fees Commission was tasked to focus on the fees, but in the interim, statements about the 2016 examinations should be made. He proposed a special debate be held on the underlying causes of the crisis.

Bishop Siwa noted that a balanced deliberation was expected. The opportunity to present to the MPs was appreciated, because they represented the diversity of political motivations which was the very same diversity of representation found on campuses. It should be emphasised that even though there was a myriad of motivations for the student protests, there was a fair amount of coalition of thinking amongst the protesting. It was generally presumed that NSFAS was the solution, but the students argue against it claiming that once graduated they start their future with debt.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee concluded that the overall concern was, ‘what do we do about the academic year’?

The meeting was adjourned.

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