. It was noted that, it would not be easy for the department to deliver the strategic plan with only 13 directorates responsible for five complex programmes. . The department welcomed the powers of the committee to amend its budgets and is willing to share common agreement during the process. . The examination function will until further notice be maintained as a single function located in the Department of Basic Education's new office building. . The Skills Development Act No 97 of 1998, National Qualifications Framework Act and the Higher Education Laws Amendment Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the fourth Parliamentary term for consideration by the committee. . The focus of the Council for Higher Education (CHE) is on the improvement of teaching and learning to ensure that the challenge of graduate under-preparedness is properly addressed to respond to the needs of the labour market and society in general. More funds allocated to institutions are directed at improving the quality of lecturers. . Higher education institutions are required to submit their financial status in the middle of the academic year and, thus assisting the department to monitor institutions that are not utilising funds appropriately. . The department needs to plan appropriately and it is inevitable to look systematically at required action. . The department monitors the shift of funds between categories of NSFAS to ensure speedy take-up on funds allocated to the various unutilised categories. Funds in some categories are transferred to other needy programmes to avoid any under-spending. . The department is unable to access information to estimate the throughput and drop-out rate for this academic year since its data is always two years in arrears. . The NSFAS Review Report will be official released on the 16 March 2010 for public comment. . The department has a helpline to assist the public with enquiries relating to the status of private colleges. . The process of establishing universities in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape is being considered by the department. The department will forward a report to the committee on the issue once it is available. . The department has good working relations with the South African Union of Students (SAUS) and the SRC. There is a branch within the department that liaises constantly with the SRC. The NSFAS review report will provide details pertaining to the students demand for free higher education. . The department aims to work closely with the FET Councils to strengthen the capacity of FET colleges. 7. Summary