The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) supported more than 5 million students obtaining tertiary education qualifications.
The Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA) was established in 1991 and has overseen the management of the NSFAS since its inception in 1996. In July 2000, Act 56 of 1999 transformed TEFSA into a statutory body known as NSFAS.
In 2024, NSFAS is anticipated to offer comprehensive bursaries to over one million students enrolled in approved programs at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
One significant advantage of NSFAS bursaries is that students are not obligated to repay any funds. Before 2018, however, NSFAS primarily provided financial aid in the form of student loans.
The landscape of higher education in South Africa underwent a transformative shift in 2018 following the #FeesMustFall Movement. Originating in 2015, this student-led campaign advocated for the decolonization of education and the abolition of tuition fees for higher learning institutions.
In response to the movement's demands, the South African government began addressing key issues. In 2017, it announced the provision of free higher education to students from low-income and working-class backgrounds, the NSFAS bursary.
Manamela said since the initiation of fee-free higher education in 2018, the government has seen a ninefold increase in funding for students, reaching a staggering R49 billion this year. The policy has allowed close to a million students to access education without accumulating debt, a move unprecedented globally.
They noted the positive impact on student demographics and academic performance. Many previously marginalised students, particularly women and black students, have excelled academically, with a notable 89% success rate in 2020.
Responding to criticisms from opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, Manamela defended the ANC's approach. He highlighted measures such as debt relief for middle- and upper-class families and the introduction of the NSFAS Loan Scheme.
This year, in implementing the first phase of the Comprehensive Student Funding Model, we announced the NSFAS Loan Scheme that will target these students and see them receive the same allowances as NSFAS students.
At the end of their term, if these students pass well, they will only be required to pay 50% of their tuition fees, and still, only when they start earning an income. This may be half a loaf for this category of students, which we estimate that the initial R3,8 billion will go towards 322 000 of them, but it gives them a foot into the future.
One of the major benefits of a NSFAS student loan would be that students who achieved a 70% course average would only have to pay half of their loan amount back to NSFAS upon application.
The deputy minister’s speech also acknowledged the crucial role of TVET colleges in skills development. The Comprehensive Student Funding Model and the Centers of Specialisation programme were highlighted as steps towards providing equal opportunities for students in various fields.
Manamela concluded by reiterating the government's commitment to fee-free education and expressed optimism about the continued positive impact on South Africa's education system. The ongoing investment in TVET colleges and the diverse skill sets they offer were emphasised as essential components of the country's future growth.
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