Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the achievements made by the government in the education sector. This includes funding thousands of students through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and improving the quality of education to meet the needs of the future economy.
Minister Nkabane believes education is key to responding to the economy of the future, empowering individuals, and building a more prosperous and just society.
We are committed to an education system with a consolidated, programmatic vision—a value chain that includes early childhood development, basic education, and post-school education and training. This system transitions into the world of work, addressing both access and success.
During the SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the matric class of 2024 who achieved the highest pass rate in South Africa’s history, with an impressive 87.3% of learners passing. Nearly half of these students secured a bachelor’s pass, granting them access to university education.
Minister Nkabane says this achievement was due to strategic interventions and targeted support during the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing efforts to enhance educational standards.
Nkabane believes that the government's continued focus on skills development is seen as crucial in the fight against poverty and inequality. They say by investing in education, South Africa is equipping its youthful population with the tools needed to thrive in the global economy.
The government will continue to work towards its National Development Plan (NDP) goal of developing 30,000 artisans by the end of the decade.
Our goal is to produce 30,000 artisans annually by 2030. These skilled professionals will contribute to key sectors such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing.
NSFAS
NSFAS is also being reformed through the introduction of the Comprehensive Student Funding model which will see desiring students provided with NSFAS student loans.
NSFAS Loans serve as a lifeline for "missing middle" students. This category includes students whose household income exceeds the R350,000 threshold for the NSFAS bursary but still face significant financial barriers to pursuing higher education.
We are also restructuring NSFAS to bridge the funding gap, particularly for middle-income families.
