Government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of the Further Education and Training (FET) college sector in providing the intermediate skills required in the country. This places FET colleges at the centre of the national skills agenda and establishes government’s commitment to its importance.
The FET college sector is therefore expected to appropriately respond to the critical skills agenda of the country, as considerable investments have been made by government within the FET sector, including amongst others:
- FET funding increased from R3.9 billion in 2010 to R5.6 billion in 2013.
- National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) student bursary funding at FET Colleges has increased from R318 million in 2010, benefitting 61 703 students to R1.988 billion in 2013 targeting 222 817 students. This has meant that more students are able to access funding not only for tuition, but also for accommodation.
- The prioritisation of 12 FET campuses for either refurbishment and/or building of new structures including student residences in various parts of the country. Construction is expected to start in January 2014.
- R2.5 billion has been allocated by the National Skills Fund to FET colleges for the expansion of access and programme offerings, including skills programmes and learnerships.
- R2.8 billion has been committed to FET colleges aimed at increasing the student intake towards occupational directed programmes within the FET college sector.
Funding of this nature gives substance to articulated commitments from the highest level of government.
The National Skills Development Strategy III has also acknowledged the central role of FET colleges in the delivery of sector skills imperatives. Colleges have been earmarked to respond to these national skills development imperatives in creative ways, asserting their role as preferred providers for the delivery of skills. There is also a need for colleges themselves to seize this initiative to take their rightful place as a significant component of the national skills development agenda. FET colleges are therefore meaningful places for career preparation and as appropriate sites of learning for employment and self- employment.
These interventions and focus by government on the importance of the FET college sector in providing the intermediate skills has seen FET student headcount enrolments increase by 90% from 345 566 in 2010 to 657 690 in 2012, as well as the National Certificate (Vocational) Level 2 – 4 certification rates increasing from an average of 15% in 2009 to 42% in 2012. These gains, although significant, still requires further improvement to achieve government’s objectives for the FET sector.
To further improve on these gains, the Public Further Education and Training Colleges Attendance and Punctuality Policy is calculated to be one of the means to achieve this end. The policy also finds resonance with the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande’s launch of the Turnaround Strategy for FET Colleges in 2012, whose pillars are effective curriculum development, institutional management, governance and leadership, effective human resource management and development, professional development of academic staff, partnerships and linkages, as well as student support services.
Pertinent to the announcement of this policy is the fundamental recognition that in 2012 alone Government has invested just under R8 billion in state subsidies and NSFAS bursaries. In order for the State to get value for money from the operations of colleges, it is therefore imperative to regulate and standardise standards of good practice.
The department is introducing this policy with a firm conviction that its effective implementation will contribute to institutional functionality and stability, which are the bedrocks of system performance as demonstrated by pass, throughput and certification rates.
Against this background, the Department of Higher Education and Training recognises the positive correlation between class attendance and both student retention and achievement. Any class session or activity missed, regardless of cause, reduces the opportunity for learning and may adversely affect a student’s achievement in the course.
Levels of attendance have a direct impact on the success of our students. Students are more likely to complete and achieve their qualification if they attend classes regularly. Students who arrive late have an impact not just on their own learning but also on the progress of the rest of the class. Similarly, employers set high expectations of attendance and punctuality in the workplace.
The department therefore expects public Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges to set and enforce this policy, and our students to comply with high levels of attendance and punctuality to improve their chances for success and prepare them for the professional culture of the workplace.
A strong message therefore needs to be communicated to students that there will be serious consequences for absenteeism and lateness. In cases of unauthorised absence and consistent lateness, disciplinary action will be taken. Authorised absence can be given by a college lecturer under exceptional and unavoidable personal circumstances or by agreement with an appropriate programme manager.
Poor attendance and consistent lateness will also have an impact on examinations and funding. A student will be allowed to write examinations for every subject for which he or she has attained a minimum of 80% attendance. In addition, colleges will be required to verify and provide attendance information to the Department of Higher Education and Training before the release of examination entry permits to students at the start of an examination session.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payments for tuition, travel and accommodation will only be made if students have a minimum of 80% attendance. If periods of sickness occur regularly and affect progress in a particular course, a lecturer will be entitled to call a student to a review meeting and if appropriate, stop NSFAS disbursements to the student.
It is against this background that the department will introduce a policy on attendance and punctuality for public Further Education and Training colleges for the 2014 academic year.
Media enquiries:
Kefilwe Manana Makhanya
Chief Director: Communication
Cell: 079 547 5299
E-mail: Makhanya.k@dhet.gov.za
