2024-w760 - 11 April 2024

Vuyani Pambo to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

In light of the fact that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has recovered close to R1 billion from institutions of higher learning that have either misused and/or misallocated funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, what (a) steps has he taken to hold the specified institutions accountable for misused and/or misallocated funds and (b) intervention measures have been put in place to ensure that maladministration does not continue in institutions of higher learning?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 11 Apr 2024

a) In terms of proclamation 88 of 2022, the SIU initiated investigations on potential misuse and/or misallocation of funds by the institutions. Once the SIU has concluded its report, the Department will study the report, and engage the NSFAS and institutions which are implicated by SIU before it takes any steps. The Department has in the interim asked universities to conclude outstanding financial reconciliations. ...

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2024-w749 - 11 April 2024

Mzwanele Manyi to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he intends to commission any investigation into the allegations of fraudulent degrees conferred by the University of Fort Hare; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 11 Apr 2024

The Department will decide on the allegations once two related processes have been concluded. The first process emanates from the work of the Special Investigation Unit which is conducting an investigation at the University of Fort Hare, following the Presidential Proclamation published on 5 August 2022, in the Government Gazette no 47199. A report is expected during March / April 2024, and is likely ...

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2024-w750 - 11 April 2024

Mzwanele Manyi to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What steps is his department taking to uphold the integrity of academic credentials conferred upon graduates of tertiary institutions of higher learning in the Republic, as some academic credentials raise doubt about its integrity and the institutions conferring it?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 11 Apr 2024

The Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, (the Act) as amended, states that degrees, diplomas, and certificates are awarded by higher education institutions subject to their statutes and the Act. Section 65 C of the Act adds that no degree, diploma, or certificate may be awarded upon any person who has not been registered as a student, against the qualification, for the period (and ...

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2024-w438 - 28 March 2024

Narend Singh to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Whether teams of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme are available to assist students who may want to make applications in areas where no stable internet is available; if not, why not; if so, (2) Whether a team could be sent to the Magabheni Sizakala Centre in Ward 99 in eThekwini, to assist students for the May intake; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

  1. NSFAS is able to assist students with applications where there is no stable network, however it should be noted that applications closed on 15 February 2024.
  2. A team can be deployed to Magabheni Sizakele Centre through a formal request sent to NSFAS. NSFAS will then assess if similar challenges are experienced in surrounding areas so that its intervention is not confined to specific or ...
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2024-w542 - 28 March 2024

Annacleta Mathapelo Siwisa to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he has been informed that the Motheo Technical Vocational Education and Training College, which offers workshop classes for welding and upholstery and other handy work-related courses, is not officially registered; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how was the specified college allowed to proceed with offering such courses without proper procedure being approved, (b) what measures of intervention will his department implement to ensure that the college refunds parents for tuition that has already been paid and (c) what action will his department take against the institution for operating without being registered?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

(a) Motheo TVET college has been offering these programmes as skills programmes since 2001. The current administration of the college inherited these programmes, which were offered as unaccredited skills programmes registered by the former Industry Boards as Competency Based Modular Training (CBMT) Programmes were registered as shorter skills training programmes. Upon realising that these programmes were not accredited, the management of the college took ...

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2024-w484 - 28 March 2024

Nosipho Makamba-Botya to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What measures have been put in place to build more educational institutions of higher learning with student accommodation in the next five financial years?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

The Department has a plan to assist deserving institutions to build student accommodation. A number is institutions have been identified and have been presented to National Treasury for approval:

Institution

Campus

Sector

No of Rooms

No of Beds

University of Limpopo

Turfloop

University

1925

3500

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

Bellville

University

413

750

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

District Six, West ...

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2024-w530 - 28 March 2024

Mothusi Kenneth Montwedi to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1)Whether he has been informed that private accommodation owners who are accredited by the Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape were charged an amount of R250 per month by the specified university; if not, why not; if so,

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

Part 1: Prior to this Parliamentary Question, I was not informed of the amount charged by the Sol Plaatje University (SPU). This is because the accreditation of private student accommodation is carried out by the institutions in line with their own policies and processes.

In its response to the question, SPU indicates the following:

  • It imposes a fee for the accreditation of off-campus accommodation ...
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2024-w528 - 28 March 2024

Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

How has his department resolved the issue of delays in the process of establishing the Tshwane University of Technology Giyani Campus?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

In the first instance, the feasibility study for the establishment of the campus was delayed by more than 5 months (May to Mid-October) due to the Limpopo Department of Education (LDE) denying access to the site (former Giyani College of Education). The Department resolved this by escalating the matter to the Limpopo Office of the Premier (OTP). Subsequently, the Limpopo ...

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2024-w529 - 28 March 2024

Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Following the launch of the National Artisan Development Academy by the Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training College on 1 March 2024, (a) what direction is the specified facility taking in ensuring that the supply of qualifications matches the requirements of a growing economy and (b) how will the students be accommodated regarding residency?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

(a) During the conceptualisation phase of the National Artisan Development Academy, a research committee was established with members from the University of the Free State (UFS), Central University of Technology (CUT), Services SETA and Motheo TVET College. The study employed a qualitative research design that involved desktop analysis of supply and demand of trades and related occupations.

The analyses involved:

1) the review of ...

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2024-w527 - 28 March 2024

Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What is the current status of the plan to establish the (a) University of Policing and Crime Detection in Hammanskraal and (b) University of Science and Innovation in the City of Ekurhuleni?

Reply from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 28 Mar 2024

For both universities, the process is currently at the second phase of technical planning studies focusing on detailed technical, geospatial, campus infrastructure, ICT, equipment, staffing and student support services costs. The scope further extends to the following tasks:

  • Conducting a detailed audit of the qualifications, expertise, and capacity of existing staff at Hammanskraal police academy to determine skills gaps and requirements for the new ...
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