Notwithstanding the challenges, the Department OF Higher Education and Training, under my leadership, wishes to highlight the tremendous strides it has made in the post-school arena.
The launching of the National Skills Development Strategy III in January 2011 as the overarching strategic guide for skills development has provided direction to sector skills planning and implementation in the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). It provides the framework for the skills development levy resource utilisation of these institutions as well as the National Skills Fund, and sets out the linkages with, and responsibilities of other education and training stakeholders.
In order to ensure the strengthening of stakeholder engagement and consultation, summits were held in respect of Higher Education, Further Education and Training Colleges and Skills Development as well as with National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). The key focus of these engagements was to bring together various stakeholders across all levels of education and training, and across all occupations and disciplines, to promote skills development as a fundamental requirement to an inclusive growth path.
The Human Resource Development Strategy South Africa (HRD-SA) was launched together with the Human Resources Development Council together, the latter staffed by specialists who are currently advising the government on strategies to achieve its human resource objectives.
The launch of the new SETA landscape has led to the restructuring of the SETAs on 1 April 2011, to improve governance and administration with a focus on meeting sector skill needs and increase training levels. A standard constitution for all SETAs was introduced to ensure that there is consistency and alignment with regard to the functioning of SETAs.
Within the Further Education and Training Sector, the number of students receiving bursaries has tripled since the inception of the loan and bursary scheme, from 12 371 to 64 572. R 1.23 billion has been set aside to assist all financially needy students in 2011 to be exempted from paying fees at Further Education and Training (FET) colleges, and in addition some will also be assisted with transport and accommodation costs as well. Five additional programmes have been added to the NC(V) qualifications to cater for the needs of a broader constituency of stakeholders, including government departments. For the first time, articulation exists from a college qualification into higher education studies. NC(V) students have already enrolled for studies in universities and universities of technology.
The National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) was formally launched to ensure coordination of artisan development nationally and thereby achieve a single, common national standard across all sectors for artisan development. The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) has commenced with the development of new occupational artisan trade qualifications and curriculum. The signing of the Skills Accord with all social partners on 13 July 2011 will see the realisation of 30 000 new learners for this year to enter the system for artisan development.
On the transformation of universities, a Ministerial Committee, chaired by Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, has been established to review the funding framework of universities and make recommendations. It will take into account the needs of universities over the next 15 years. As part of its work, it will consider ways of improving the funding framework to strengthen rural institutions, and that historically disadvantaged students are supported within the system. I have also allocated R686 million for the 2010-2012 period to address backlogs in student accommodation and the need for more student residences on campuses.
Following the review of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the board was requested to develop an immediate turnaround strategy and conduct a due diligence exercise and recovery plan, in consultation with the department. The department is satisfied with the progress made to date. Work is progressing towards ensuring more effective access to funded education for the poor. A number of projects have been put in place to ensure that the system works more effectively.
Two task teams were established in 2010 to do a feasibility study on the establishment of new universities in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape. My department has received the final draft reports from the two task teams and is in the process of analysing these and developing a full implementation plan. Work is progressing well within the establishment of the two new universities and it is expected that the plan will be ready at the end of November 2011. Thereafter I will announce the final arrangements of the two universities.
The final report from the task team that is looking into the development of health sciences at Medunsa and the University of Limpopo, was published in the Government Gazette and the Council for Higher Education (CHE) advice was requested on the process. The CHE’s report is expected in the next day or two. We expect that the technical work towards the unbundling of the University of Limpopo and Medunsa will begin in September. It is envisaged that in the long term Medunsa will become part of a new single-purpose health and allied sciences university, and that a new medical school will be established in Polokwane to cater for the growing need there.
While the public university system is relatively stable and growing, governance and management aspects within certain of the higher education institutions do remain a challenge. In particular, on 18 April 2011, I had to put the University of Zululand under administration. I appointed Professor de Beer as Administrator after disbanding the University Council.
The disbanding of the council was based on findings from an independent assessor’s report prepared by Professor Hugh Africa. From May to July 2011, the administrator has put in place initiatives in line with his mandate. Ernst and Young was appointed in July 2011 to conduct a comprehensive institutional forensic audit, which is expected to be completed by November 2011. Steps have been taken to revise the statute of the university and related matters.
Recently I have had to send an Independent Assessor to WSU, and he is currently engaged with his task. I expect his report to be provided by the 29 August 2011, which I will study carefully before making a decision. Given the challenges faced by universities in terms of sound management and governance in the past few years, the department is committed to strengthening institutions in several areas. These include:
- Putting in place sound financial management systems
- Strengthening governance and improving relationships between university councils, student bodies and unions to ensure stability
- Reforming procurement procedures
- Overhauling recruitment policies.
It is against this background that I have appointed Professor Themba Mosia as Administrator for the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on 16 August 2011. During his term as Administrator, Professor Mosia is expected to establish an effective and functioning council as well as to take over the responsibilities of the Vice-Chancellor.
This would include the identification and initiation of processes and initiatives that will restore proper governance and administration at the TUT. In light of the situation at TUT the Administrator will have to ensure that trust and relationships amongst all structures and role-players are established within TUT.
On 17 August 2011, Professor Mosia met with Professor Molefe (Vice-Chancellor appointed by the former TUT Council) and senior management of TUT. Professor Mosia has instructed that Professor Molefe be placed on compulsory leave of absence for a period of two weeks to provide the Administrator with the space to engage with all sectors of the university community. These engagements are scheduled to take place over the coming days. Professor Mosia has issued a communiqué to all members of staff and the student body to clarify his role and the intervention initiated by me.
The university is fully functional and teaching and learning are proceeding normally. I am convinced that the Administrator will ensure that the critical issues that undermined the functioning of the institution will be addressed speedily and expeditiously. The Department of Higher Education and Training will provide the necessary support to Professor Mosia so as to restore a culture of good governance and administration at TUT.
For more information contact:
G F Qonde
Tel: 012 312 6053
E-mail: Qonde.g@dhet.gov.za
