National Student Financial Aid Scheme: threshold is too low
Cabinet today finally received the report reviewing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Initiated by Science & Technology Minister Naledi Pandor when she was Education Minister, the review was led by Dr Marcus Balintulo and dealt with some vital issues that affected the lives of students at our universities and colleges.
It is quite clear that the so-called income threshold for those eligible is too low. Students from families where parent(s) earn R120,000 or less per year are eligible. This excludes upper working class and lower middle families, for example where the father is a policeman and the mother a nurse. I have asked Minister Blade Nzimande twice in 2009 to adjust the threshold and he refused. I said that he hid behind his Review Committee.
I recently received a correspondence from a third year student at UKZN Howard College Campus. The student said that, due to her current financial condition, she could not afford to study - her mother had died when she was young, and she is currently living with a relative and dependent on their support for her daily needs. This student and many others who have written to me could not wait for Minister Nzimande's Review Committee report, which still has to go through public debate. It is deeply unfortunate that so many students missed an entire year of university education because of a lack of urgency when it comes to the income threshold.
Some of the other issues considered by the Review Commission may certainly wait for public discussion and the Democratic Alliance looks forward to a vigorous discussion of the issues. We will argue strongly for the introduction of an opportunity voucher system, where students should receive bursary voucher directly from NSFAS and use them in a flexible manner at accredited higher education institutions based on agreed plan.
Statement issued by Dr Wilmot James, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of higher education, February 24 2010
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