Technical and vocational education and training colleges close their doors
Weak management is contributing to the possible downfall of TVET.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Further Education and Training Student Association (Safetsa) has resolved to shut down 265 campuses of all 50 South African Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges across the country.
Westcol in Krugersdorp West forms part of the 265 campuses being shut down.
The decision is informed by the following critical issues that are directly affecting students in the TVET space, particularly children of the working class and the poor:
• Delay in releasing results and pending certificates since 2012
• Insufficient National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding and the delay of accommodation and transport allowance payments
• Extremely poor infrastructure development with no funding model
• Unqualified but employed lecturers
• Student victimisation
• Out-dated TVET curriculum
• Expansion of TVET colleges in terms of student enrolment
• Skills development agenda in line with the National Development Plan (NDP)
• Corruption, nepotism and maladministration in the TVET space
Another let-down for the colleges is that many young South Africans that exited TVET colleges between year 2010 and 2014 have not yet received their final certificate.
“Strengthening and expanding the TVET colleges is of paramount importance in developing South Africa this is not possible without improving management and governance, developing the quality of teaching and learning and developing the education system in the TVET that is responsive to the local labour market,” president Yonke Twani said.
Twani also expresses the movement’s disappointment to the management of their VET colleges, because their alleged weak management is contributing to the possible downfall of TVET. He said the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has failed to ensure proper management and governance in TVET colleges. He also feels that leadership in TVET colleges is very poor and it needs to be strengthened.
He promised not to back down but to move forward and be a catalyst in accelerating transformation in the TVET space.
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