FET students march over aid scheme (watch the Vine)
"For the last year, students had to pay for all of this themselves, even though they qualified for bursaries. We have no idea where the money is going."
Students of the FET Ehlanzeni College in the city are up in arms about alleged corruption and nepotism at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
About 300 disgruntled students took to the streets on Thursday to demonstrate their anger as they marched from their campus in Bell Street to the city centre.
“We have witnessed extreme corruption on the board when it comes to the bursary money,” said FET Ehlanzeni student body president Mr Mxolisi Lubisi. “The students are not receiving the bursary money and the college’s registration fees underwent an immense increase of R200 per annum to R1 700.
“The registration fee is supposed to enable all students to register for hostel as well. Lately, however, they need to pay R1 000 when they want to register. “We suspect that the officials are just pocketing the money for themselves,” Lubisi said.
According to Lubisi, students were under the impression that their bursaries would cover their class tuition as well as their residence.
“For the last year, students had to pay for all of this themselves, even though they qualified for bursaries. We have no idea where the money is going.”
At the time of going to print, NSFAS has not responded to Nelspruit Post’s queries.
https://vine.co/v/eDApET2jDYl
