Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane highlighted the importance of communication ahead of the 2025 academic year commencement.
Last week, the Minister met with various stakeholders in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector to discuss the preparedness for the 2025 academic year where the main matter on the agenda was ensuring a smooth student registration process.
It is, however, important for us to engage at this critical time so that we are aligned and alert to respond to potential challenges to the 2025 student registration process.
The Minister commended the record-breaking 2024 matric pass rate of 87.3%, with half of the candidates securing a bachelor’s pass. She acknowledged the increased demand for higher education spaces and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating an efficient registration process.
It is now our responsibility to welcome the Grade 12 class of 2024 into the PSET sector. We must ensure that every deserving student has access to further education, as enshrined in Section 29 of our Constitution.
Quoting Section 29 of the constitution, Minister Nkabane emphasised that all students have the right to education. This increases the need for collaboration in the PSET sector to ensure that the rights of students are realised.
Section 29 of our Constitution tells us that everyone has the right to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible. I look forward to constructive discussions in the area.
Despite the Minister’s sentiments, South Africa’s 26 public universities cannot accommodate all qualifying learners. After a record 337 158 matrices achieved admission to Bachelor studies, only 202 000 first-year places are available at the country’s public universities.
The shortfall in available space is worsened when taking into account the learners who have historically qualified for admission to a Bachelor’s Degree programme but could not be accommodated.
NSFAS Challenges
Part of ensuring a smooth start to the 2025 academic year is addressing challenges which plagued students in 2024. This includes funding challenges from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
NSFAS Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo provided an update of NSFAS funding for the 2025 academic year.
Nomvalo reported that upfront payments to institutions were made on 10 January 2025.
The upfront payment is based on 2024 registration data received, calculated as one month's allowances and 50% for books. This translates to 9.5% of the 2025 university allocation of R39 billion.
For universities, this payment covers personal care, living expenses, travel, books, and accommodation. For colleges, it covers tuition only, as student allowances will be paid directly to students.
NSFAS Application Processing Update
Nomvalo reported that 276,072 non-Sassa applications required processing, 201,848 of these applications have been reviewed for verification.
NSFAS aimed to finalise all 2025 applications by 31 January 2025. Additionally, NSFAS received 658,943 Sassa applications, of which 606,113 students have been provisionally funded.
NSFAS received 17,370 student loan applications, which will undergo financial eligibility checks.
Minister Nkabane also held a stakeholder engagement meeting in eThekwini, where she met with accommodation providers and transport operators.
Minister Nkabane established a task team to address concerns raised during the meeting. This task team will comprise representatives from, accommodation providers, transport operators, the DHET and NSFAS.
This task team will work collaboratively to resolve issues and ensure stability for the academic year.
TVET Colleges Positioned At Alternative
With universities across South Africa facing a shortage of available spaces for prospective students, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are being positioned as a viable alternative for learners seeking further education and employment opportunities.
Deputy Director-General for Higher Education, Sam Zungu, has emphasised the need to change negative perceptions surrounding TVET colleges.
This is because TVET colleges provide students with practical skills that can lead directly to employment or even entrepreneurship.
A trade or technical skill not only allows graduates to seek jobs but also empowers them to start their own businesses.
However, he acknowledged that work must be done to ensure that TVET college programmes remain relevant in an evolving job market. As technology advances, some traditional skills may become obsolete, making it crucial for TVET colleges to align their offerings with industry needs.
Former Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande previously noted that the sector has made progress in this regard, with increased collaboration between TVET colleges, industry stakeholders, and funding organisations. These partnerships play a key role in enhancing graduate employability by ensuring that TVET college qualifications meet the demands of the modern economy.
Infrastructure development and course enhancement are also central to the sector’s success.
We have invested significantly in improving infrastructure to make learning environments more advanced and habitable.
Additionally, introducing occupational qualifications accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Qualifications aims to improve student outcomes further. However, this shift requires ongoing investment in training lecturers to keep up with industry advancements.
Zungu urged parents to consider TVET colleges as a viable option for their children, rather than defaulting to universities that may not have space or guarantee employment.
