Mr Chairperson, although the DA supports the report on the presentation by NSFAS to the portfolio committee, it is necessary also to emphasise the critical issue regarding the way in which the funding to students is administered, specifically in relation to the availability of funds when students register at the start of the academic year.
Many students who are dependent on NSFAS funding do not have the necessary funds for accommodation, food and transport when the year starts. As a result, they start on the back foot and that in turn compounds the difficulties they have to deal with in their academic endeavours. NSFAS should seriously and as a matter of urgency reconsider the way in which funding is allocated to the different institutions of higher education and training.
With regard to the portfolio committee report on the oversight visit to FET colleges and universities in KwaZulu-Natal, the DA also supports the report as being a true reflection of what the committee experienced at the time, as well as recommendations made. However, it needs to be said that the picture portrayed by the vice chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal does not tally with the allegations that have surfaced of financial mismanagement, racism and nepotism at the university.
This is a university that was considered to be one of the best, its medical faculty, in particular. Although the Minister of Higher Education and Training has reacted by stating that the university council should look into the matter, this is not going to solve the problem. The fact of the matter is that this council has done nothing to deal with the matter since these allegations and complaints have been surfacing.
Our country, the youth of the country and the economy cannot afford an institution of higher education being mired in controversy with allegations of financial mismanagement, nepotism and corruption. The credibility of the university has to be restored as a matter of urgency. The DA therefore recommends that the university be visited again to determine what the problems are and how best to deal with them. [Applause.]
Motion agreed to.
Report on Budget and Strategic Plans for 2012-13 of National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, and Council on Higher Education, CHE, accordingly adopted.
Report on Budget and Strategic plans for 2012-13 of South African Qualifications Authority, SAQA, accordingly adopted.
Report on Oversight Visit to University of Zululand, University of KwaZulu- Natal, Umfolozi FET College, Umgungundlovu FET College, Central Applications Office, Thekwini FET College and Mangosuthu University of Technology from 24 to 27 January 2012 accordingly adopted.