The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a vehicle towards free higher and further education for the youth of South Africa. This is a statement unanimously echoed by student leaders who had gathered at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park over the weekend. Hosted under the theme “reconfiguring NSFAS towards free higher and further education” the colloquium was organised by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DoHET) in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the South African Union of Students (SAUS) to provide a platform for youth representatives to collectively present their recommendations into the NSFAS review process currently underway.
Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande recently established a Ministerial Committee to review the functioning of the NSFAS, looking at among other things, the strengths and shortcomings of the student funding scheme. The colloquium brought together senior representatives from the DoHET, leaders from universities and further education and training (FET) colleges, student representative councils as well as youth political organisations.
Among the recommendations made by the student leaders representing all nine provinces was an end to the blacklisting of students who owe loans to NSFAS even before they start working. They also called for an end to demands for registration fee deposits before students can register for enrolment. Meanwhile the NYDA has called on the DoHET to build on the experiences of NSFAS to gradually introduce free education.
“We would like to recommend a review of the NSFAS funding formula; by significantly reducing the percentage of the loan and increasing that of a free bursary, we will be closer to achieving the goal of introducing free education,” said the NYDA Chairperson, Andile Lungisa.
The establishment of a student loan bank also featured prominently during the discussions. Student representatives called for a provision of an interest free loan, which should in the meantime assist academically deserving students who would otherwise have no access to institutions of higher learning due to financial constraints.
Furthermore a call was made for government to consider introducing progressive taxation. Each South African eligible for tax would contribute towards a levy that will assist towards the attainment of free education in a long term. Having identified a deficiency in the visibility of financial aid bureaus, the conference also recommended for NSFAS points to be located in all towns, which will also increase access for the provinces where there are no universities or technikons.
The recommendations of the conference will form part of a presentation to be submitted to the NSFAS Ministerial Committee chaired by academic and Walter Sisulu University Vice Chancellor Professor Malusi Balintulo.
Enquiries:
Siyabonga Magadla
Tel: 012 309 7868
Cell: 083 686 9016
Issued by: National Youth Development Agency
30 August 2009
