EFF statement on the recent shortcomings of NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education
12 July 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) note, with condemnation, the recent communication by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to all parties affected by its mismanagement and corruption.
The inability of NSFAS to streamline its processes and ensure timely assistance has caused immense frustration and despair among those who rely on its support. Year in, year out, these failures have had far-reaching consequences, affecting the lives and aspirations of countless students.
The new recent burning issues include the un-funding of students who initially had a fully funded status. This has resulted in thousands of students forfeiting or not receiving their NSFAS allowances, and face being removed from their residences.
Secondly, the new direct payment service provider came with high praises from NSFAS management and the Ministry of Higher Education as an alternative for disbursing funds for funded students. However, up to date, the few that received allowances have received less than what they deserved and have been met with high transactional fees.
There has been a consistent absence of care from the ANC government and zero strong political will in dealing with matters of education in this country. In our 10 years of unbroken struggle, the EFF has consistently called for free, quality and decolonised education.
Additionally, we created a student's command entity in order to face these issues head on and have been at the forefront of #feesmustall for many years.
We therefore reject third party service providers, and advocate for a State Bank, so that we are not empowering the white owned banking sector of South Africa.
The EFF also continues to demand that NSFAS place offices in each of the nine provinces, and root out corruption within the universities starting from the offices of Vice-Chancellors all the way to middle management.
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 12 July 2023
