And yet they have done very well. We want to congratulate the colleges on the increasing numbers of learners obtaining an National Certificate Vocational, NCV, the technical equivalent of the matric as well as the delivery of some 20 000 occupational programmes, including artisan trades.
We acknowledge that the NCV does not guarantee a job any more than the National Senior Certificate, NSC, or matric certificate does. Regrettably, the labour market in South Africa characterised as it is by extremely high unemployment is very harsh. Many employers are requiring an NSC or matric for low skills job. University degrees for administrative or middle levels skills job and have unrealistic
expectations based on the large pool of unemployed people they are able to draw on.
However, the NCV is a good qualification and it does provide an entry point to a nonacademic career. It provides a general awareness of preparation for a range of middle level occupations that are in demand. An increasing number of NCV graduates are going on to enter apprenticeships and become artisans, as well as programmes designed for other occupations in demand. Gradually TVET colleges are becoming recognised and institutions of choice for young people who are more practically orientated.
In skills development, we have seen a great deal of progress. The numbers of people trained has increased and we are particular pleased that artisan training has expanded by over 400% in the last 10 years. This is a major achievement and it demonstrates that we can achieve when we set a national agreed target, agree a strategy between the main stakeholders and drive the agreed strategy with determination and courage.
We have noted initiatives that have been funded by the Setas and the National Skills Fund, such as the centres of specialisation and the production of skills for national infrastructure projects, expansion
of the role of state-owned enterprises in training and we applaud all those that have been involved. We are truly making progress in the supply of middle level skills that are so badly needed in this economy.
We must not equate the achievement of numerical targets with effectiveness. In the area of throughput and pass rate targets have been set and this is welcomed. There can be no celebration of expanded enrolments when the numbers completing and numbers passing their exams drops. We will be closely watching this indicator and expect to see continuing improvement in the medium-term.
We have noted a number of initiatives that are planned or in place to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the skills development institutions.
With the performance of Setas and the National Skills Fund there have been some challenging engagements with them over the past year. We have for example noted plans to centralise certain functions and to take action where failures in the system occur.
The Setas and the NSF are at the interface between the education and training systems and the economy. They must broker work placements
and work integrated learning. Skills development is a vital pillar of economic growth and we must start to see the impact that is being made.
Minister, we reiterate the important role that the emerging community colleges must play. They must provide young and unemployed people locally, accessible quality education and training in areas of employable skills. They must be progressed towards the National Development Plan, target of 1 million people enrolled in such programmes. We strongly urge the department to engage with the NFS and Setas to examine how funds can be allocated to enable relevant skills programmes to be offered in communities.
Minister, higher education and training are a critical area of investment in our country's future. Much has been achieved and significant progress has been made. We have emerged from a period of contestation within our institutions of higher learning with a coherent plan to incrementally expand access for the poor and the working class. There are weaknesses in the system, including less than ideal through out less and pass rates and those need to be addressed. We look forward to seeing progress in all of these areas over the next 12 months. The ANC approves this budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Thank you
very much, hon Chairperson of the NCOP. Let me start by thanking the ANC for supporting this debate but also the hon Chair Nchabeleng, Mam Gillion, Mam Ndongeni, the MEC for Social Development from the Eastern Cape. They did not only support but they help to elucidate the commitments and the plans of the ANC government in Higher Education. [Applause.]
I just want to highlight the matter that the Chair raised first on student accommodation. We are aware that this is a big challenge. That's why we are committing to 300 000 beds. That's the minimum over the next 10 years. We are absolutely clear that we need much more than that. We also need to identify extra resources, something that we will announce as we are able to identify additional resources. But also, I think if we are to expand university education, we also need to think creatively. We have to expand online education as I have said. We also have to expand extra mural if you like or after hour's education. We can't just use one model. So, all those things, we will look at, which will then be able to address many problems that the hon Chairperson and other members have raised.
To hon Christians, thanks for what otherwise looks like a very constructive engagement with the Budget Vote which is unlike normally the approach of the DA. I really appreciate this. The points that you are making, the fact that you acknowledge the work we are doing on health psychosocial as well as actually on fighting gender-based violence in our campuses, we want to do more on this upfront.
I also share your concern about how some of cash for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, is being used by some of the students. It's a matter that I want to pay very close attention to so that we ensure that money does go to where it supposed to be.
Indeed, I wish to confirm that the Publishers Association of South Africa have written to me that, from last year, the buying of text books have gone down by 94%, which means that some of these things are not being done, the money is not going where it's supposed to be.
To the EFF, you have lots of problems. [Interjections.] Firstly, your focus is almost exclusively on universities. [Interjections.] You are not focussing on other things. Those things of yours which sounds revolutionary, everything for everyone, the ANC's policy is
focussing on the poor and the working class, not to everyone. [Applause.] Children who can afford Louis Vuitton wear do not deserve to actually be supported with some of these things because ...