By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has admitted to a long path ahead in turning the post school education and training (PSET) sector around, calling for more to be done in addressing challenges.
Nkabane engaged the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) hybrid plenary session on Tuesday, responding to questions from members on the significant challenges the sector faces, including student accommodation shortages, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) delays and a lack of critical and technical skills.
“Despite constraints, the department remains committed to working closely with the NCOP to make sure we preach the gospel in our constituencies and address the challenges of the sector,” she said.
One of the key issues raised was the shortage of student housing, a challenge that has long plagued both universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Nkabane outlined the government’s commitment to implementing large-scale student housing projects through the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP).
Since 2021, the department has delivered 9721 beds under the first phase of SHIP, with an additional 6500 beds currently in progress.
Looking ahead, phase two aims to provide 10,700 beds across six institutions, while phase three, launching this year, is set to deliver 45,000 additional spaces.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain about governance and affordability, particularly as private accommodation providers engage with NSFAS.
Nkabane said that while institutions oversee accommodation operations, NSFAS must ensure fair pricing and compliance with standards.
The NSFAS accreditation programme, expanded to 23 TVET colleges and 17 universities in December 2023, is expected to improve accommodation quality and safety.
However, funding delays continue to disrupt students’ education, often leading to evictions and financial distress.
Nkabane acknowledged these ongoing challenges, attributing delays to data misalignment between the scheme and institutions.
The department is collaborating with stakeholders to refine processes and prevent such disruptions; additionally, a special task team has been established to address systemic inefficiencies.
The minister said her department was working with the Special Investigating Unit to combat fraud in student funding.
Irregularities, including ghost students and fraudulent accommodation claims, have prompted the appointment of a board to improve governance and accountability within NSFAS.
Another critical issue raised was the country’s struggle to produce graduates in high-demand fields, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Nkabane revealed that in 2024, engineering graduate output fell short of the target by 2221 students, while life and physical sciences had a shortfall of 229 graduates.
The decline in students taking mathematics and science at the high school level has further exacerbated this issue.
To combat this, she said her department is working with the Basic Education Department to boost interest in STEM subjects.
Efforts include outreach programmes in rural schools, career expos and the integration of emerging fields such as AI and robotics into curricula.
Nkabane highlighted the need to reposition TVET colleges as attractive career pathways.
Many students still perceive university degrees as superior, despite TVET qualifications often aligning more closely with industry demands.
To bridge this gap, the government is modernising TVET curricula, expanding trade test centres from one to 35, and introducing occupation-focused programmes to replace outdated N1-N3 courses.
And to enhance TVET graduates’ employability, 54 centres of specialisation have been established, focusing on artisanal training.
The expansion of work integrated learning programmes has benefited 25,000 students, ensuring they gain practical experience.
Nkabane said the department’s Programme and Qualification Mix initiative aimed to steer institutions toward high-demand fields, using the national scarce skills list as a guide.
While universities maintain academic autonomy, the department is actively engaging institutions to align enrollment plans with economic needs.
She acknowledged the Human Resource Development Council, chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, as playing a crucial role in ensuring graduates were equipped with relevant skills.
The minister said that collaboration with industry stakeholders, business leaders and organisations like National Economic Development and Labour Council informed curriculum adjustments, making higher education more responsive to job market trends.
Despite financial constraints, the government remained committed to expanding the post-school education sector.
Projects include refurbishing the old Giyani College of Education for Tshwane University of Technology and developing a new Ulundi campus for the University of Zululand.
Two new universities, the University of Science and Innovation and the University of Policing and Crime Detection in Gauteng, are also in the pipeline, though funding challenges persist.
Nkabane reaffirmed the department’s focus on ensuring access to higher education, particularly for marginalised communities.
She said her department’s efforts to modernise TVET institutions, enhance STEM education and ensure financial stability within NSFAS were crucial steps toward creating a more effective and equitable post-school education system.
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