Minister Nzimande from the Higher Education and Training Sector, addressed the department’s plans for the 2020 academic year for universities and TVET colleges. He also addressed the status of NSFAS students and what provisions will be made to them.
NSFAS students’ funding will continue during the 2020 academic, even while we participate in this National Lockdown. Allowances are to be maintained during lockdown as well so that students can afford to sustains themselves during lockdown.
Students have already received the learning materials allowances for the year. This entails a value of R5200 issued once a year to NSFAS beneficiaries to buy things such as laptops, tablets and books. Minister Nzimande has urged students who have not used their learning material allowances yet to use it to purchase learning devices so that remote learning can take place.
There is a possibility that the academic year will be extended into 2021. NSFAS is aware that this would require additional funding for students to complete their studies for 2020.
It was also announced that NSFAS students will be offered devices when they are made available so that remote learning can continue effectively and everyone gets an equal chance.
Dr Randall Carolissen, Administrator of NSFAS, also discussed this in a conversation with SASCO and said, “The issue of devices to students are also becoming a talking point amongst TVET College students.”
Government is working to finalise getting and distributing devices to all NSFAS assisted students as well as giving them access to the connectivity they require.
