Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has announced a comprehensive reform plan for South Africa’s higher education and training system, acknowledging that the sector is fragmented, underperforming, and misaligned with the economy’s needs.
Speaking to the media in Pretoria on Tuesday, Manamela said stabilising the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a top priority. He added that a new student funding model for NSFAS will be developed within three months.
However, education experts are sceptical.
Professor Jonathan Jansen told VOC News that only a complete overhaul of the system can bring real relief to students.
“You can’t fix a system like this with the current model. NSFAS has been placed under administration twice and still lacks a permanent CEO. Despite this, the minister claims he will stabilise the organization in three months. The hubris is quite astounding,” Jansen said.
Jansen warned that the scheme is likely to remain mired in challenges despite the proposed reforms.
Listen to the full interview with Prof Jansen below:
Youth advocate Nape Senong, Network Mobiliser at Youth Capital, raised similar concerns, highlighting the need to adequately address the “missing middle” students who earn too much to qualify for NSFAS but not enough to afford tertiary education.
“NSFAS is crucial for ensuring poor young people can access higher education. However, the way it has been managed does not inspire confidence. Significant changes and tighter systems are needed,” Senong said.
Listen to the full interview with Senong below:
The Department of Higher Education and Training aims to implement a new funding model within three months. However, experts believe that only a complete restructuring can effectively address the ongoing issues that NSFAS faces.
VOC News
Photo: @HigherEduGovZA/X
