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Memorandum from the Parliamentary Office
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 317
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 01/03/2013
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 4 OF 2013)
Mr R B Bhoola (MF) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:
What is his progressive plan with regard to the protest action at
universities in the past year and the call by students for (a) a reduction
of fees subsidies, (b) an increase in bursaries and (c) improved and
affordable accommodation for poorer students?
NW396E
REPLY:
Universities are independently governed by Councils in terms of Section 27
of the Higher Education Act, Act 101 of 1997, as amended. Discontent
resulting from specific decisions that may be taken by the Council of a
university or its management cannot be directly dealt with by the Minister.
However, in order to safeguard the academic programme from being disturbed
by such protest action, a dedicated unit within the University Education
branch of my Department attempts to mediate when challenges occur. This
mediation has to be conducted within the ambit of the Higher Education Act.
Progressive plans with respect to the three issues raised are indicated
below.
a) Subsidies to universities are determined by National Treasury and the
Ministry uses the 2003 funding framework to determine allocations for
each university. The funding framework allocates funds based on
teaching inputs and outputs, research outputs and institutional
factor. This is not an arbitrary allocation of resources to
universities but one based on a pre-determined formula.
b) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is the primary tool
that is used to ensure access to poor and needy students within the
higher education and training sector. The establishment of NSFAS was
governmentâs commitment to widen access to higher education to
eligible students who would not be able to study further without
financial aid. NSFAS offers loans and bursaries for a studentâs first
undergraduate degree at any of the 23 South African public higher
education institutions as well as bursaries for students studying at
50 public FET Colleges. The funds allocated to NSFAS for loans and
bursaries for students at public higher education institutions and FET
colleges have increased substantially, from R441 million in 1999 to
R5.1 billion in 2012/13 providing financial aid to an estimated 350
000 students.
For 2013/14, National Treasury has allocated NSFAS a budget of R3.693
billion for universities and R1.988 billion for FET Colleges. The
total number of students assisted by NSFAS since its inception in
1991, is 991 759 students with approximately R25.1 billion
having been allocated to fund financially needy students.
c) The Department has allocated approximately R1.7 billion to
universities for student accommodation for the period 2012/13 to
2014/15. This will improve existing facilities and the building of new
residences. Furthermore, the Department is engaging the Public
Investment Corporation (PIC) and Development Bank of Southern Africa
(DBSA) to leverage further funding to accelerate the building of
residences at certain universities. In addition to the R1.7 billion,
universities are contributing approximately R600 million as co-funding
from their own resources. A draft policy on Student Housing in Public
Universities on Minimum Norms and Standards will be gazetted for
public comment by the end of April 2013. This policy guideline was
developed and workshopped with all public universities.
Compiler/contact persons: Mr C Mabizela and Mr Shai Makgoba
Ext: 5252 and 5284
DIRECTOR â GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 317 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr B NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE: