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Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Postponed: NSFAS on turnaround strategy, direct-payment system, ICT systems, student accommodation & related matters
20 Sep 2023
The Portfolio Committee met virtually to be briefed by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on its turnaround strategy to resolve issues arising from the new direct payment system, delays in resolving student appeals, the accreditation of student accommodation, and many other issues. However, the Members were told ...
Basic Education
2023 Examinations-Readiness: DBE & Umalusi briefing; with Minister and Deputy Minister
19 Sep 2023
The Portfolio Committee convened on a virtual platform to receive an updated status report from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Umalusi on learners' examination readiness in 2023. The DBE acknowledged the examination irregularities within the past year and the errors in some of the past examinations, but ...
Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) & the South African Minerals Extraction Research, Development & Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy
13 Sep 2023
In a virtual meeting, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) presented to the Committee on the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development, Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy and the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP). The meeting aimed to address the pressing issues ...
Basic Education
BELA Bill national report on submissions & proposed amendments
12 Sep 2023
Tracking the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill in Parliament
he Portfolio Committee intended to address the missing submissions on the Basic Education Law Amendment (BELA) Bill. However, the Committee had received the document only at 6 pm the previous night, leading to a lack of enthusiasm by most Committee members ...
Higher Education, Science and Innovation
NSFAS update on disbursement of funding and allowances to students, roll-out of direct-payment system, outstanding student appeals, CEO leave & related matters
6 Sep 2023
The Committee met with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in Parliament to engage on the disbursement of funding and allowances; the new direct payment system; student appeals; the NSFAS query system; the student accommodation accreditation system; and the reasons for the leave of absence of the chief ...
Basic Education
Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill: legal opinion
29 Aug 2023
Tracking the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill in Parliament
The Portfolio Committee for Basic Education met to deliberate the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill in Parliament. The Committee also received a legal opinion briefing covering the processing of the BELA Bill.
The legal opinion raised issues with the public ...
Basic Education
BELA Bill: deliberations; motion of desirability
17 Aug 2023
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education concluded its deliberations on the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill (BELA).
Members commenced with their deliberations the previous day; this was after engaging in an extensive public participation process which saw Members travelling to all nine provinces to hold ...
Basic Education
BELA Bill: deliberations; with Deputy Minister
16 Aug 2023
The Parliamentary Legal Advisor advised the Committee on the process for making amendments to sections of the South African Schools Act (SASA) that were not included in the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill such as to sections 16 and 16A dealing with functions and responsibilities ...
Basic Education
BELA Bill: National Public Hearings Report; with Deputy Minister
8 Aug 2023
The Committee proposed that the consideration and adoption of the National Public Hearings Report on the Basic Education Law Amendment (BELA) Bill be postponed as the Committee had received the report late. Other Committee members suggested that the report be presented and clarity-seeking questions. Then consideration and adoption of ...
Basic Education
BELA Bill: Northern & Eastern Cape Public Hearings Reports
1 Aug 2023
In a virtual meeting, the Committee considered and adopted the two Provincial Public Hearings Reports on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill).
In the Northern Cape Province, the public participation comments were summarized and presented by the Committee Content Advisor. Held across three municipalities from 2 to ...