MIGHT be released early matric results as the Department of Higher Education, is in discussions with Basic Education, so that these results will be released before the end of the year.
This was expressed by the Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Buti Manamela, yesterday when he delivered a speech in Parliament, on the opening of higher education institutions.
Manamela said they want the matric results to be released soon so that the institutions are prepared to open early.
“We are discussing with Umalusi council, that the results should be released early so that there is enough time to prepare for the opening of the institutions. It will be remembered that before, before the Covid-19 epidemic, the matric results were released before the end of the year. We want to return to this so that there is enough time to prepare for the opening of the institutions,” he said.
There have been complaints mainly about the delay in the release of matric results, which are released in the second week of January. This makes it less time for universities to filter, register and start the teaching program.
Manamela revealed that about 300,000 students did not receive funding from the National Students’ Financial Aid Scheme, due to various reasons.
He also revealed that they have given R4 billion to universities to support students.
He called on the working people, who still owe this fund to pay it.
“We know that there are those who have degrees but are not working. For those who are working, we say that they should return the NSFAS money to help those who still need help with education,” he said.
MKP member, Mr. Mnqobi Msezane, lamented that there are many students who are not studying because of waiting for answers from NSFAS.
“It is being studied in educational institutions, but you fail to tell us that many are not studying because they are still waiting for a response to their complaints about lack of funding. There are students who have completed degrees but cannot get them because they owe money to educational institutions,” he said.
Mr. Sihle Lonzi of the EFF, complained about unfilled vacancies in TVET colleges.
“How will engineers, electricians and other fields be trained if there are unfilled vacancies. The department is returning money to the Treasury while students are sleeping at the door because they are not funded,” he said.
He said they want colleges and universities to have accommodation for students to end the rampant corruption in accommodation.
Mr. Sanele Zondo of IFP, complained about the challenges faced by NSFAS which did not support the students at the time.
“It must be fixed so that the money to support the students can be released quickly. Some students are complaining of hunger as this fund is not quick to release the funding money to those who live in the areas paid by the fund.”
Mr. Ashley Sauls of PA, complained about the selective selection of educational institutions that choose to hire immigrants in this country instead of local ones.
“The issue of paying attention to immigrants in this country, rather than those in this country, is not being considered. The issue of the release of funding by NSFAS is not being resolved immediately.”