Few days left to meet the cut-off deadline for Higher Education Institutions Enrolments For 2016
Today, the 10th of September 2015, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP, rolled out the 2015 Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign by visiting three schools in Thaba Nchu, located in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, in the Free State Province. ‘Remember, September is the month that most higher education institutions target for accepting enrolment forms for the following academic year of study, the window is closing – if you have not applied, please apply now’, said the Deputy Minister.
The Apply Now Campaign
Deputy Minister Manana, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr Rampai interacted with Grade 8 to 12 learners at Sediti High School, Goronyane High School and Albert Moroka High School. He outlined the Apply Now/Khetha Career Guidance Campaign which is aimed at encouraging learners to apply on time for admission to post-school institutions and thus avert possible stampedes and long queues that take place at the beginning of each academic year. The Career Guidance component of the campaign seeks to inform learners about career choices available within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
The campaign was initiated by the Department of Higher Education and Training following the unfortunate incident that happened at the University of Johannesburg in 2012 where a mother died in a stampede whilst accompanying her child to submit a late application.
The Apply Now Campaign runs from March to September, across the country to assist learners to make informed choices when applying to institutions of higher learning. It also seeks to inform learners about things to look out for when choosing their institutions of higher learning to avert being conned by unregistered and bogus colleges who offer them unaccredited qualifications.
TVET Colleges
The Deputy Minister encouraged learners to consider Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges as an alternative to university education because the skills needs of the country necessitate massive production of artisans from TVET colleges.
The 100 Occupations in High Demand
The Deputy Minister had a conversation with more than 2500 learners from Grade 8 to 12 in the rural schools of Thaba Nchu and further promoted the list of “100 Occupations in high demand” that was released by the Minister of Higher Education and Training in 2014. This will assist learners to make informed career choices to avoid a situation where they too join a cohort of unemployed and unemployable graduates.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Deputy Minister Manana informed learners about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which is aimed at assisting poor and deserving students to further their studies within the post-school sector. NSFAS has to date assisted more than 1.5 million beneficiaries who have since joined the ranks of the black middle class. NSFAS interacted with learners during the Deputy Minister’s visit.
Sector Education and Training Authorities
The Deputy Minister informed learners that there are currently 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) which are responsible for learnerships and other training opportunities for learners who cannot pursue further education and training.
Learner Representative Council
Members of the Learner Representative Councils in the three visited schools said, ‘we thank the Deputy Minister for having taken time off his busy schedule and come to our rural areas to impart information that all our students will benefit from. There is no reason for any of us here to be found wanting in January 2016 – let us all apply now’.
Career Development Services
The Department of Higher Education and Training currently runs a Career Development Services Centre to assist learners with career advice. The Deputy Minister encouraged learners to use their cell phones to reach the Centre as follows:
SMS or “Please Call Me”: 072 204 5056
Telephone: 086 999 0123
E-Mail: careerhelp@dhet.gov.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/careerhelp
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rsacareerhelp
Website: http://www.careerhelp.org.za/
National Career Advice Portal: http://ncap.careerhelp.org.za
Walk-in Center: 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria
For further information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Busiswa Nongogo
E-mail: nongogo.b@dhet.gov.za
Cell: 061 351 2695
Calvin Nkosi
E-mail: nkosi.c@dhet.gov.za
Cell: 084 739 5468
