South West Gauteng TVET students demand answers on funding
The college just announced examination schedules, but students say they will not take any exams unless their issues are addressed.
Funding for students remains a major issue in the country, and disgruntled South West Gauteng Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students in Roodepoort blew the whistle to address this issue.
On April 4, the college came to a complete standstill when hundreds of students took to the streets in protest, demanding greater transparency and accountability when it came to funding from the college and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Many of the students are complaining about the institution not submitting their documents on time and delays in receiving their funding, as well as issues with the disbursement of the funds.
They are also calling for better communication and support for those students who are struggling to meet their financial obligations.
According to Moral Baloyi, the Student Representative Council chairperson, the funding list released recently by NSFAS states that 625 students out of 3 000 will be funded or have their application status approved. This includes accommodation, transport and allowances for both new and returning students.
“This issue is affecting students and they are now considering other options that put their lives in danger. We have students that dropped out and were evicted from their residence because they cannot settle their debts,” he said.
The institution recently released timetables for examinations but students claim they will not write any exams until their concerns are addressed.
“They are saying we should write exams but students are unable to come to school to attend important classes because they don’t have money for transport and those who live in accommodations do not have money for food,” he added.
Speaking to the Roodepoort Record, third-year Primary Health student Natasha Nkosi says she hasn’t paid rent in four months and she is considering deregistering and going back to KZN.
Acting campus manager Thomas Navhondwe says NSFAS pays TVET students via the direct payment channel, which means the fund scheme communicates directly with the students and payments are made to their personal accounts, not to the school.
“We have directed the students to go to the student support office on campus to double-check their status and the school facilities will be back to normal soon,” he added.
Navhondwe concluded by saying the list released by NSFAS is not the final list, it will change soon as more students will have their application approved.
NSFAS was approached for comment, but by the time of publishing, none has been received yet.
