Following appeals to intervene in the fate of students at the Huguenot College, the Minister of Higher Education and Training had indicated that he would provide assistance to facilitate a solution. Recognising the valuable role of social work training and the need for provision for the students, the minister urged all parties to address the primary concern of the students in order to ensure the continuance of their studies.
A meeting was held between officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training, Stellenbosch University and Huguenot College. All the SU students currently enrolled for Social Work and related programmes via HC were informed jointly by SU and HC on 19 August 2010 that they will be transferred to the Stellenbosch campus of SU in 2011.
All the students who have indicated that they wish to continue their studies at SU in 2011 will be studying on the Stellenbosch campus. All the responsibilities of the Board of the Section 21 HC Company for the SU students who are currently studying via HC terminate on 31 December 2010. The Rector and Vice Chancellor of SU and the Acting Rector of HC will send a co-signed letter to the provincial departments of social development of those provinces currently providing bursaries to SU students studying via HC to:
a. Confirm the agreement reached on 9 November 2010 that bursaries for currently enrolled SU students who wish to continue their studies at SU in 2011 and beyond will continue.
b. To inform the provincial departments of social development that new applicants for 2011 who have filed their applications via HC and who meet SU’s admission requirements will be considered for admission to programmes offered on the Stellenbosch campus.
New applicants for 2011 will be informed by SU that their applications will be considered should they wish to pursue their studies at SU. During 2011, SU and the DHET will discuss the possibilities of expanding.
SU’s capacity in its programmes in Social Work and related service professions to ensure that the current levels of provision of social workers nationally can be maintained. The agreement between SU and the
Section 21 HC Company signed on 25 January 2010 terminates on 31 December 2010.
Enquiries:
Ms Kirti Menon
Tel: 012 312 5284
E-mail: 082 941 1133
