Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane believes recent stakeholder consultations will benefit the entire higher education sector in South Africa.
The minister held a joint media briefing with NSFAS administrator Freeman Nomvalo to provide feedback on the Ministerial Stakeholder engagement programme which began on Thursday, 12 September 2024 and ended on 15 September 2024.
The stakeholder engagement meetings also served as an introductory session between Minister Nkabane and various key stakeholders in the higher education sector.
The consultations which started on 12 September 12, 2024, included meetings with student formations such as the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA), EFF Student Command, and DASO, as well as institutional bodies like the South African Union of Students (SAUS) and Universities South Africa (USAF).
These discussions focused on NSFAS inefficiencies, reforming student funding models, and improving student accommodations.
Key issues discussed included delays in matric results impacting funding decisions, safety concerns for students and vice-chancellors, and the need for better student accommodation.
Minister Nkabane emphasised the importance of these consultations in shaping necessary reforms and improving the overall effectiveness of the NSFAS system.
Focus on Expanding Access and Skills Development
Minister Nkabane reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to post-school education, particularly within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college sector.
The goal is to increase enrollments to one million in community colleges and 2.5 million in TVET institutions by 2030.
Increasing the intake of the college system by targeting one million enrolments in Community Colleges and 2.5 million in public and private TVET colleges by 2030.
Nkabane also highlighted South Africa's ongoing educational collaboration with China, which includes sending 100 students to China to study critical skills for the future.
This initiative aligns with the country’s strategic goals of addressing scarce skill shortages in South Africa and enhancing international cooperation in education.
We will send about 100 students to China in the coming year to study scarce and critical skills of the future as we advance in the skills revolution towards addressing skills mismatch.
