Plans to develop new Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and college campuses were set out in a statement released by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande.
TVET colleges are higher education institutions where students receive education and training which relates to a specific range of jobs, employment or entrepreneurial possibilities.
These colleges are public and benefit from state funds and subsidies and students studying at these institutions are eligible for NSFAS, which is a government bursary that covers tuition and other expenses.
The Department of Higher Education and Training plans to implement new infrastructure for the following 16 TVET colleges:
- Msinga Campus of UMgungundlovu TVET College at Cwaka
- Greytown Campus of Umgungundlovu TVET College at Greytown
- Umzimkhulu Campus of Esayidi TVET College at Umzimkhulu
- Bhambanana Campus of Umfolozi TVET College at Bhambanana
- Nkandla A Campus of Umfolozi TVET College at Nkandla Town
- Nkandla B Campus of Umfolozi TVET College at Nkumgamathe
- Vryheid Engineering Campus of Mthashana TVET College at Vryheid
- Nongoma Campus of Mthashana TVET College at Nongoma
- Kwagqikasi Campus of Mthashana TVET College at Nongoma
- Giyani Campus of Letaba TVET College at Giyani
- Balfour Campus of Gert Sibande TVET College at Balfour
- Aliwal North Campus of Ikhala TVET College at Aliwal North
- Sterkspruit Campus TVET College of Ikhala at Sterkspruit
- Ngqungqushe Campus of Ingwe TVET College at Lusikisiki
- Graaff Reneitt Campus of East Cape Midlands at Graaff Reneitt
- Thabazimbi Campus of Waterberg TVET College at Thabazimbi.
Students at TVET colleges have called for the government to introduce more student accommodation and Nzimande says that the government has expanded to provide accommodation for more students through partnerships with the private sector.
The Minister says that NSFAS spent R11 billion on student accommodation in 2022 and in order for them to attract more investment from the private sector they had to be wise in their spending.
