ATC141024: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on its Oversight Visit to North West University and Vuselela Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Dated, 22 October 2014
Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Report
of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on its Oversight
Visit to North West University and
Vuselela
Technical
and Vocational Education and Training College Dated, 22 October 2014
The
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, having conducted an oversight visit to
theNorth
West University (NWU) and
Vuselela
TVET college on 23 September 2014, reports as
follows:
1.
Introduction
The Portfolio
Committee conducted an oversight visit to the North West University and
Vuselela
TVET
college
on 23
September 2014. This report provides a brief summary of the presentations made
by the university and college. Furthermore, the report includes the observations
and recommendations made by members.
2.
Background
The oversight visit
to the North West University and
Vuselela
TVET
college
formed part of the Portfolio Committees routine
visits to post school education and training institutions across the country
with the aim of monitoring their performance in line with government
objectives. The oversight visit to the NWU was mainly informed by the report on
the investigation into alleged initiation practices and reported incidents of
racism particularly at the Potchefstroom Campuses. The Portfolio Committee
wanted to get deeper insight into to the findings and recommendations contained
in the report from Council.
In addition to the
alleged initiation practices and incidents of racism, the Portfolio Committee
also wanted to engage on the following:
·
The North West University background and
student profile;
·
Council report to the Minister on the
orientation and alleged initiation practices on the campuses of the university;
·
Transformation policy;
·
Reported incidences of racism, including the
publication of the hate speech pamphlet on the Potchefstroom campus and any
other recent incidences of racism; and
·
Measures to prevent recurrence of human
rights abuses.
The Portfolio
Committee also visited
Vuselela
TVET
college
to engage on matters related to:
-
Governance and administration,
-
Student Enrolment 2014,
-
Administration of the National
Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary;
-
Credibility of examinations,
-
Partnership with industries for third
stream funding for improved lecturer access to workplace exposure and
student work placement;
-
Student Housing, and
-
Pass rate, drop-out and throughput
rates.
In addition to the
above mentioned focus areas of the oversight visit, the Portfolio Committee
invited stakeholders such as Council, Student Representative Council (SRCs)
and Labour Unions of the university and college to make inputs on behalf of
their constituents. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) officials were also part of the
meetings.
3.
List of delegation
3.1 Portfolio Committee on Higher
Education and Training
Mr D Kekana (ANC) Whip, Ms J
Kilian (ANC), Ms S
Mchunu
(ANC), Ms M
Nkadimeng
(ANC), Ms Y
Phosa
(ANC)
Chairperson, Mr E
Siwela
(ANC), Prof B
Bozzoli
(DA), Mr Y
Cassim
(DA),
Mr S
Mbatha
(EFF) and Prof N
Khubisa
(NFP).
3.2 Parliamentary support staff
Mr A Kabingesi: Committee Secretary, Ms M Modiba: Content Advisor, Ms T
Majone
: Committee Assistant and Mr E
Moholola
:
Media Liaison Officer.
3.3 North West
University
Management:
Prof D
Kgwadi
: Vice-Chancellor, Prof H van
Schalkwyk: Rector Potchefstroom Campus, Prof M
Maselesele
:
Rector Mafikeng Campus, Prof T
Mariba
: Rector Vaal
Triangle Campus, Prof M
Verhoef
: Institutional
Registrar, Ms P
Mmope
: Executive Director
Institutional Advancement, Mr V
Mothobi
: Executive
Director Human Capital, Prof F van
Niekerk
: Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Research Innovation& Technology, Mr T Venter: Special
Advisor, Ms E de Beer: Acting Executive Director Finance & Facilities, Mr R
Kettles: Chief Strategy Officer, Mr A
Molefi
:
Lecturer and Mr P
Lethobeng
: Coordinator
Institutional Student Affairs.
Council:
Prof F van Rensburg: Acting Chairperson, Prof E
Ebenso
:
Member, Ms M van Schalkwyk: Member, Adv J Kruger SC: Member, Ms M
Claasens
: Member, Prof J
Swanepoel
:
Member, Mr A Mashilo: Member, Mr L Jacobs: Member, Ms M Kruger: Member, Prof E
van der
Schyff
, Prof G van
Rheede
van
Oudtshoorn
: Member and Dr T
Mzini
:
Member.
Institutional Forum:
Dr K
Mabe
: Chairperson, Dr A Le Roux: Member,
Prof A
Duvenhage
: Member, Ms C
Foord
:
Member, Ms O Murray: Executive Officer and Ms B
Enslin
:
Member.
Institutional Student
Representative
Council
:
Mr
B
Mokoena
: President, Mr T
Kgabane
:
Secretary, Mr D
Kau
: Deputy Secretary-General, Mr P
Maritz: Treasurer Mr T
Tshitaka
: Legal Officer, Mr T
Motlalepula
: Sport Officer, Mr P
Mokonzo
:
Residence Officer, Ms B
Mogotlu
: Member, Mr M
Dyasi
: Academic Affairs Officer, Ms K
Mantshioa
:
Additional Member, Ms M
Mosikidi
: Healthy &
Safety Officer
andMr
L
Moheta
:
Member.
3.4
Vuselela
TVET
college
Management:
Ms A
Naik
: Principal, Ms A Pitts: Dean of
Faculty Business& Utility Studies, Ms B
Masondo
:
Student Support Manager, Mr B
Shole
: Acting Deputy
Principal, Ms E de Beer: Campus Manager, Mr J
Ramagododi
:
Artisan Development Manager, Mr E
Kreeling
: Campus
Manager, Ms B
Ntsime
: Campus Manager, Mr A Ali:
Manager Governance & Examinations, Ms R
Diutluileng
:
Learnership Manager, Ms P
Ramodike
: Student Support
Manager, Mr M
Ntwe
: Campus Manager, Mr H
Goosen
: Dean of Faculty Engineering and Mr J van der Merwe:
Quality Assurance Manager.
Institutional Student
Representative Council:
Mr T
Magane
: President.
3.5 Department of
Higher Education and Training
Mr
C Mabizela: Chief Director University Education Policy, Dr E Pedro: Chief
Director, Dr P
Vukea
: Deputy Director Institutional
Support & Sector Liaison, Ms D Masipa: Director Financial Planning, Mr J
Slater: Director Labour
Relations
,Ms
N
Rasmeni
: Parliamentary Liaison Officer (PLO)
Ministry, Ms G
Umeh
: Branch Coordinator, Mr M
Chimole
: SAC and Mr S Mlangeni: PLO Office of the Deputy
Minister.
3.6 National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Mr
M
Cele
: Senior Manager Student Affairs and Mr E
Johannes: General Manager Finance.
4. Summary of the presentations
4.1 Remarks by the Chairperson of the
Portfolio Committee
The
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Y
Phosa
gave a succinct background of the rationale for the oversight visit to the
university which was mainly to; obtain a deeper insight with regards to the
orientation and alleged initiation practices report, plans to prevent
re-occurrence of human rights abuses, detailed report on incidents of racism at
the campuses of the university and the transformation plan of the university.
She
noted that the federal model of management of the university has not been in
the best interest with regards to transformation as defined in the
White Paper for Post-School Education and
Training
which aims to deepen transformation of the entire post-school
education sector. She emphasised that the NWU is a good university that is
recognised for its excellence in its academic and research outputs. However,
the decentralisation of management authority in the three campuses (Mafikeng,
Vaal Triangle and Potchefstroom
)is
not a good model
for a merged institution and, consideration should be made for a unitary model
of management to redress the inequalities between the three campuses.
In
relation to racism and the alleged initiation practices at the campuses of the
university, she noted that the Portfolio Committee has zero tolerance towards
these incidents as universities are places of learning for all South Africans
irrespective of their backgrounds, race, culture, language or creed. She
emphasised that social cohesion is very important for transformation among
students and the university community at large.
4.2
Report
by
Council to the Portfolio Committee
Prof
F van Rensburg, Acting Chairperson of council submitted an apology of the
chairperson of the NWU council, Mr P van der Walt who had undergone an
operation. He noted that in February 2014 reports about the alleged Nazism
salute at the Potchefstroom Campus were published in various newspapers.
Subsequent to that, on 3 March 2014, the university received a letter from the
Minister of Higher Education and Training with clear terms of reference to council.
The letter from the Minister instructed council to ensure that initiation
practices are ceased with immediate effect and a thorough investigation into
the reported demeaning practices is undertaken. Council heeded the call from
the Minister and, management was requested to stop all initiation practices
with immediate effect. Furthermore, council appointed an Independent
Investigation Task Team (IITT) to investigate the alleged reported initiation
practices. On the 26 June 2014, Council submitted its report to the Minister.
In
relation to specific undertaking by council to the Minister, Prof van Rensburg
made reference to the findings of the IITT Report which noted that; time
constraints did not allow for an elaborate investigation to the alleged
incidents, some of the recommendations and conclusion may have been based on
untested evidence and, the
audi
alteram
partem
rule had not
always been applied, the university will not tolerate any infringement of human
rights and the need for the university to appoint a Student Oversight Committee
(SOC).
With
regards to the report on progress made with the undertakings, Prof van Rensburg
highlighted the undertakings that were already accomplished and being executed
by council. He made reference to; establishment of the Student Oversight Committee
(SOC), re-organisation of the Human Rights Committee, inclusion of
transformation in the strategic planning session process, investigation of all
demeaning practices and remedial steps to prevent recurrence of demeaning
incidents.
In
conclusion, Prof van Rensburg noted that council will ensure that management
pays due attention to related matters of principle and, the university is
committed to provide accessible higher education of high quality to all South
Africans within the context of unity in diversity.
4.3 North West University Current
Challenges
The
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof
Kgwadi
led
the presentation on challenges faced by the university. He acknowledged that
the university experienced incidents of demeaning practices which concerns
management, council and broader society. He noted that the incidents of racism
that occurred in the university were a microcosm of society and the university
is seriously concerned with any infringements of human rights. He alluded that
the university is committed to develop a responsible citizenry and, measures
will be taken to ensure that students are informed of the importance of
integration and social cohesion in particular at the campuses of the
university.
In
relation to the federal model of the university, Prof
Kgwadi
noted that the model was adopted since the merger of the university ten years
ago and it has its shortcomings. He acknowledged that the model was expensive
to manage and criticism on its efficiency and the failure to address racial
division was noted by international panel and the management. He alluded that, though
he was appointed four months ago, management of the university was in a process
of undertaking a strategic planning session and the model will be reviewed.
With
regards to headcount enrolment; the university has a total of 74 734 students
in 2014.In classification by race, the number of African female students is 36
944, African male 15 091, Coloured female 2 470, Coloured male 975, Indian
female 295, Indian male 198, White female 10 849 and White male 7 904. The
number of distance students for 2014 is 37 380 for 2014 and majority are
African students at 33 307. In relation to the headcount enrolment of contact
students per campus; Mafikeng Campus has a total of 9 869 students,
Potchefstroom Campus 21 118 students and Vaal Triangle Campus 6 360 students.
In
relation to the university research profile; publication output units, doctoral
graduates, masters graduates have all been steadily increasing despite the challenges
that confronts the university. The university is ranked among the top six
research intensive institutions in terms of its research profile.
With
regards to transformation targets for 2020; the university set specific targets
to be reached by 2020 on headcount enrolment of students by race per campus.
These targets include; enrolment of 10% of White students at Mafikeng Campus,
enrolment of 30% Black students at Potchefstroom Campus and enrolment of 25%
White students at Vaal Triangle Campus.
4.4 Institutional Forum (IF)
The
Chairperson of the Institutional Forum, Dr K
Mabe
noted that IF fully supports the vision of council for the
university
,and
condemns the demeaning practices of racism,
fascism and Nazism that affect the image of the university.
It also supports measures put in place by council
to eradicate such
practices.IF
accepted a report of
the investigation of the death of
ThabangMakgoang
during a Fruit Festival,
andresolved
to fully
support the re-opening of the investigations as and when new evidence surfaces.
The
IF noted its support with the vision of the new Vice-Chancellor for the
development of a new strategic plan of the university for the next ten years.
The notable successes of IF include; advising council on appointment of the VC
and appointment of senior managers at the Mafikeng Campus.
4.5 Institutional Student Representative
Council
The
President of ISRC, Mr B
Mokoena
led the presentation
on behalf of students. He noted that ISRC is the highest decision-making body
on behalf of all students located in the three different campuses of the
university. Apart from ISRC, the university has Campus Student Representative
Councils (CSRCs) which works closely with the ISRC.
The
President alluded that the authority of the ISRC is undermined in the
university. In supporting this statement, he made reference to the march by the
CSRC of Potchefstroom Campus to the Vice-Chancellors office without
consultation and approval of the ISRC. He noted that the university does not
provide a platform of engagement between management and university
stakeholders. The structure was made aware of the demeaning practices in the
university through media reports.
With
regards to racism, the initiation incident tricked mixed emotions among
students of the university. The recurrence of demeaning incidents clearly shows
that the university has no strategy and preventative measures in place to
protect human rights abuses. Of critical concern to the ISRC is that most of
the reported incidents took place at the Potchefstroom Campus.
In
relation to NSFAS, students experienced academic exclusions owing to shortage
of NSFAS loans / bursary to cover all their costs of study. The university
received R10 million from a trust fund and the ISRC was not informed on the
utilisation of this funding. The ISRC proposed that this funding be utilised to
assist needy students that could not be assisted with NSFAS bursary.
With
regards to the language policy of the university, the ISRC was concerned with
the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at the Potchefstroom Campus.
The usage of Afrikaans limited the access of black students to the university
and, the possibility of using English as a medium of instruction should be
explored by management of the university. Furthermore, all languages should be
treated with equal respect and status in the university.
4.6 National Education and Health Allied
Workers Union
The
Chairperson of
Nehawu
, Prof M
Mapadimeng
noted that the union is seriously concerned with the language policy of the
university in particular at the Potchefstroom Campus. He alluded that the use
of Afrikaans as medium of instruction at the Potchefstroom Campus remains a
barrier for access especially of black students. In supporting this statement,
he emphasised that vernacular languages such as Southern Sotho and Setswana
should be developed to be at the same academic competency with Afrikaans. He
proposed that English should be a medium of instruction at the Potchefstroom
Campus to increase the participation of black students.
The
Chairperson of
Nehawu
was concerned with the
infrastructure and facilities for students at Mafikeng and Vaal Triangle
Campuses as compared to Potchefstroom Campus. He noted that allocation for
infrastructure development for the university should be directed more at these
two campuses as they were previously disadvantaged institutions prior the merger.
The
recommendations of the union to management of the university include:
·
Equal
distribution of resources among the campuses of the university;
·
The
relocation of the Institutional Office to Mafikeng Campus;
·
Establishment
of a Task Team to investigate disparities in the employment contracts among the
staff of the university;
·
Additional
allocation of infrastructure grants for the Mafikeng Campus; and
·
Open
day for postgraduates to be convened in all campuses.
4.7 South African
Parastatal
and Tertiary Institutions Union
The
Chairperson of
SAPTU,
noted that SAPTU is the majority
union in the university and represents the interests of workers to management
of the university. She noted that the union supports the transformation plan of
the university and it was represented in various governance structures of the
university.
4.8
Vuselela
TVET
college
The
Principal of the college, Ms
A
Naik
led the presentation. She noted that the college is one of the three TVET
college
in the North West Province which was formed in 2002
as a result of a merger process. The college consist of five campuses namely;
Jouberton
, Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom,
Matlosana
and Taung. The college has its head office in Klerksdorp. In terms of programme
offering, the college offers National Certificate Vocational
NC(
V)
and Report 191 programmes in various fields of study tailored to the demands of
industries. With regards to head count enrolment for 2014, the college has a
total of 8 151 students in its five campuses.
In
relation to governance, the Principal noted that the council has been approved
by the Minister and an acting chairperson was appointed. However, the executive
of the council has not being appointed. The SRC of the college was functional
and students are represented by this body in all matters.
In
so far as the credibility of the examination is concerned, the Principal noted
that the process is well managed and the college never experienced examination
paper leakages. The college has a serious challenge of low pass and
unsatisfactory throughput rates of
NC(
V) and Report
191 programmes which affect certification outputs. The college was allocated a
total of R35 million in NSFAS bursaries for its students. The new Guidelines
for the Administration and Management of DHET TVET College Bursary Scheme on
travel and accommodation allowances remain a serious concern for students and
management of the college.
In
relation to student housing, the college has acute shortage of housing. Of the
five campuses, two campuses namely, Taung and Potchefstroom have on-campus accommodation
whichcan
only accommodate 200 students.
Alternatively, the college provides privately sourced accommodation for
students that come from remote areas.
The
college has partnerships with different companies, Sector Education and
Training Authorities (SETAs), government departments and municipalities for
Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The college has notable achievements which
include; partnership with Anglo Gold Ashanti for training of lecturers industry
exposure, North West University for lecturer professional development
especially in maths and science, funding from Wholesale & Retail SETA to
equip a Wholesale and Retail Practicum room with required equipment,
partnership with
Peermont
Hotel group for workplace based
exposure (WBE) of students and many other partnerships. The college established
a placement office that is responsible for coordination and facilitation
placement of students in industries.
In
relation to challenges, the college is facing a serious challenge of unemployed
miners committing theft at
Matlosana
Campus. The
Principal reported that two mining shafts around the college have closed down
resulting in high unemployment rate of miners. These unemployed miners stripped
the closed mine infrastructure of all the valuables and they
havetargeted
the
MatlosanaCampus
and the local hospital. It was noted that the criminals are heavily armed and
security companies employed by the college do not have capacity to deal with
the high level of break-ins and theft at
Matlosana
Campus. The college is not in a good financial position to sustain the cost of
the security required for this campus. Student safety is also compromised as
they are attacked and stripped of their valuables on the way to the college. It
was further reported that the college has lost expensive equipment for
electrical engineering.
The
college has a high wage bill which was putting a severe financial strain on its
budget. The corporate service has too many managers in salary level 9 and their
compensation consumes large portion of the colleges salary bill. The college
did not have a Deputy Principal and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The
challenge is compounded by the resignation of the South African Chartered
Accountant appointed CFO. Additional funding is required in the college for
improvement of the current infrastructure.
5. Observations
The
following emerged as the key observations from members of the Portfolio Committee:
5.1 North-West University
5.1.1 Achievements
·
ThePortfolio
Committee
commended the
university for its considerable achievements
in terms of success and throughput rates, increasing research outputs which
include Master and Doctoral outputs, research publications, and good governance
and management. It is commendable that Mafikeng Campus has significantly
increased research
output.Noticeably
was the fact
that the Mafikeng campus publication output was higher than the other two
campuses.
5.1.2 The
R10 million donation
·
The Portfolio Committee noted the allegation
made about the R10 million
donation
from an unknown
trust. The Portfolio Committee supports the universitys position of instituting
a forensic investigation on the matter.
5.1.3Orientation
and alleged initiation practices
·
The
Portfolio Committee strongly condemned the orientation and demeaning initiation
practices of first year students at the universitys Potchefstroom Campus
residences during induction period. Furthermore, the Portfolio Committee
appealed to management and council of the university to implement pro-active
and preventative strategies and measures to prevent recurrence of such
infringements and to actively promote a human rights culture within the
university.
·
The
Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned
thatmanagement
has been aware of initiation practices at the universitys residences and,
there was no plan in place to prevent these practices since they were viewed as
traditional and started long way back before the merger of the institution.
·
It was
noted with concern that though the former Potchefstroom University for
Christian Higher Education year book of 1947 forbids the initiation practices
at student residences, these practices continued to be practised unabated at
thePotchefstroom
Campus.
·
It
emerged that the council of the university on advice of senior counsel resolved
not to publish the Independent Investigation Task Team (IITT) report for public
consumption owing to possible legal action from various stakeholders. The
Portfolio Committee requested council to submit the report to the Committee for
its consideration.
·
It was
observed that though policies and procedures were in place at the university,
offensive practices that were in violation of human rights took place and some
of them were not reported.
·
The
Portfolio Committee was concerned that university inherits students who have
been initiated into such demeaning practices at school
leveland
they maintain such practices when they get to the university.
5.1.4
Incidents of racism
·
The
Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned with the hate speech pamphlets
inciting violence against Afrikaners distributed at Potchefstroom Campus. It
was noted that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and the university should
impose strict sanctions against perpetrators of this kind of behaviour.
·
It was
noted with serious concern that each year the university is embroiled in a
number of racism related incidents and there is no comprehensive strategy to
minimise these incidents.
·
The
Portfolio Committee appealed to the management of university to make sure that
the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at Potchefstroom Campus does
not alienate black students and staff.
·
The
Portfolio Committee was concerned with the role and effectiveness of the Human
Rights Committee (HRC) of the university particularly in educating students
about the promotion and protection of human rights.
5.1.5
Transformation at the university
·
The university has been in existence for 10
years since its merger. The merger has been considered one of the successful
mergers in the higher education sector.
However
,despite
this milestone and significant achievements,
the university has not managed to create a new institutional identity and
organisational culture that has eradicated all forms of unfair discrimination
and to advance redress of past inequalities.
·
The Portfolio Committee was seriously
concerned that the university is still not integrated. The fact that students
from the Mafikeng and Vaal Triangle Campuses do not have access and, need to
request for permission to access the Potchefstroom Campus remains a serious
concern for a merged institution.
·
It
emerged that the Campus CSRCs of the university wear different blazers that
represent each campus and this creates a culture of separation within the same
institution. Furthermore, there was no synergy and cooperation between the ISRC
and the CSRCs of the different campuses.
·
The Portfolio Committee was seriously
concerned that majority of white academic staff are mostly concentrated at the
Potchefstroom Campus and, there were allegations of high attrition of black
academics at the campus.
·
It was noted with concern that the transformation
targets for black
students(
30%) for 2020 particularly
at the Potchefstroom Campus were inadequate and the university was encouraged
to consider revising these targets during its strategic planning process.
·
The Portfolio Committee emphasised its
concern on the utilisation of the federal management system in the university
that renders campus autonomy model. It was noted that this model is not ideal
to accelerate transformation in a university that has been battling incidents
of racial discrimination since its merger.
·
The Portfolio Committee welcomed councils
commitment to establish the Student Oversight Committee (SOC) that will focus
on transformation related matters.
5.1.6 Infrastructure
development
·
The department was commended for providing infrastructure
development funding to increase access to and success in scarce skills related
programmes like human and animal health, science, engineering and technology
and African languages. However such efforts should not lead to the neglect of
the humanities related programmes.
5.2
Vuselela
TVET
college
·
The
Portfolio Committee was concerned with the low certification and pass rates in
the
NC(
V) programmes of the college which are below
the national average. Furthermore, the Portfolio Committee appealed to the
college to put measures in place to improve academic performance of students in
all programmes.
·
It
emerged that the college does not have adequate tracking systems for its
graduates to monitor their progress in finding employment after completing their
qualifications from the college.
·
It was
noted with concern that the Deputy Principal and Chief Financial Officer posts
were not yet filled and, the absence of these key personnel impact negatively
on management of the college.
·
The Portfolio
Committee noted with concern the recent resignation of
theSAICA
CFO who also did
notgive
adequatesupport
to the Principal.
·
The Portfolio
Committee was seriously concerned that the college did not claim from NSFAS an
outstanding amount of R12 million for transport and accommodation allowances
for both
NC(
V) and Report 191 students. Furthermore,
the college noted that the unclaimed funds can only fund 250-300 students for
allowances when applying the new NSFAS Guidelines
for accommodation and transport allowances
respectively; while the number of successful applicants is 3 000. The college
resolved not to allocate the allowances.
·
It was
noted with concern that NSFAS does not adhere to the rule of paying claims from
the colleges within 30 days after receiving them.
·
Notwithstanding the good intention of the new
NSFAS Guidelines of ensuring efficient allocation of funding,
thePortfolio
Committee was concerned that the guidelines
cause serious suffering and hardships to students since the college could not allocate
transport and accommodation allowances.
·
It was noted with concern that students
cannot be expected to walk a distance of 9 kilometres to the college campuses
especially in areas where the crime rate is
high.The
non-allocation of transport allowances to students residing within a 10km
radius of the college result in high absenteeism and low pass and
unsatisfactory throughput rates.
·
The
Portfolio Committee was seriously concerned with the high level of theft and
break-ins at the
Matlosana
Centre for Artisans and
Learnerships. The lawlessness threatens government development goals of
producing artisans to grow the economy. The management of the college was
requested to put preventative measures to protect the assets used by learners
at
Matlosana
Campus or find alternatives to resolve
this challenge.
·
It
emerged that the college has a high wage bill that put severe financial strain
on its budget and, and the colleges managers are in salary level nine (9)
while managers at the same positions in other colleges are at level eight (8). The
Portfolio Committee welcomed the undertaking of the department to conduct a
study on the job evaluation to ascertain whether salaries paid to employees in
certain positions are commensurate to their outputs.
·
The college
was commended for the dedicated effort of sourcing partnerships with industry
to facilitate student work-based learning and work-based exposure. Furthermore,
students who enter in work-based opportunities are often considered for
employment by the companies.
·
The
Portfolio Committee was concerned that
thecollege
has
a serious shortage of student accommodation.
6. Issues for follow-up
The
Portfolio Committee requested for submission of the following:
·
The
department to submit a report on new NSFAS regulations;
·
The
department to submit a progress report on the implementation of the
recommendations of the fourth Parliament Portfolio Committees Oversight to
Western Cape and Eastern Cape conducted in February 2014.
·
The
department to submit a report of
astudy
on the job
evaluation of college employees to ascertain whether salaries paid to employees
in certain positions are commensurate to the outputs.
·
The
university to submit a report on; student profile particularly those living in
the university residences, IITT report on orientation and alleged initiation
practices at campuses of the university, transformation plan, policy on student
governance and report on evaluation of the merger.
7. Summary
The
oversight visit to the North West University provided members of the Portfolio
Committee with an opportunity to meet with all the stakeholders of the
university and to hear their views and objectives particularly on; initiation
practices during orientation of first year students at the university campuses,
transformation, incidents of racism and the recent hate speech pamphlet
distributed at the Potchefstroom Campus. In relation to its core business of
offering quality higher education to all South Africans, the Portfolio
Committee commended the
university for its progress
in
academic offering and research outputs. The university is ranked among the top
six research intensive universities in South Africa and the success rate of
students is above the national average of 80%. In terms of governance and
administration, the university has a functional council with good management in
place and sound financial status. The council of the university showed
commitment to transform the university based on its undertakings presented to
the Portfolio Committee. However, the challenge experienced by the university
is a microcosm of societal challenges particularly on the subject of
integration and social cohesion. Racial divide is a societal challenge and the
country should find better ways of addressing it a national level. As much as
there are policies in place to prevent the scourge of racial incidents, the
university has been unable to prevent recurrence of these incidents and this
has negatively dented the image of the university 10 years after its merger.
The current federal management system of the university has not been successful
in promoting a unitary institutional culture with a single and coherent vision
of a merged institution. The Portfolio Committees appeal to the university was
for transformation to be accelerated and a unitary management system of a single
and integrated institution.
In
relation to the
Vuselela
TVET
college
,
the Portfolio Committee was concerned with the poor academic performance of
students which forms core enterprise of the college. The delays in the filling
of vacant critical posts affected the work of the newly appointed Principal who
is committed to turn-around the college. The departments regulations for
travel and accommodation allowances affect not only students from
Vuselela
TVET
college
but students
in the entire TVET college sector and, it was the Portfolio Committees view
that these regulations should be reviewed. The high level of theft and breaks-ins
at
Matlosana
Campus as reported by the college to the
Portfolio Committee was a serious challenge which the department was requested
to address urgently. The Portfolio Committee supported the commitment of the
newly appointed Principal to turn-around the college and put measures to
improve academic performance of students.
8. Recommendations
The
following are the Portfolio Committees recommendations for consideration by
the Minister:
8.1 North West University
8.1.1 Management system and transformation
·
The
university should revisit the management model and effectively assess its
efficiency as well as taking necessary measures to ensure that the model meets
the national transformation goals.
·
The
envisaged strategic planning session of the university should focus on
developing a comprehensive transformation plan that seeks to promote a single
institutional culture within a unitary university.
·
The
university
shouldmake
a dedicated effort to increase
a pipeline of local black academics from honours to doctoral programmes so as
to attract them to careers in academia through financial support; in addition,
the qualifications of the current academic staff especially of blacks and women
should be improved so that they could take up senior academic and management
positions.
·
The university should
allocateequitable
budgets across the three campuses.
·
The department should consider injecting
funding towards expansion of infrastructure for growth of humanities.
·
The university should endeavour towards
ensuring that the composition of the student body at Potchefstroom Campus progressively
reflects the demographic realities of the broader society.
8.1.2 Language policy
·
The Department should ensure that use of
Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at Potchefstroom Campus is not a barrier
to access, especially in high cost programmes like engineering and technology
which are critical for production of scarce skills and redress. The university
should adhere to the principle of equity of access and success.
·
The Minister should liaise with the Pan South
African Language Board and the South African Human Rights Commission to ensure
prevention of the use of any language at the university especially at
Potchefstroom Campus for the purpose of exploitation, domination or division.
·
The language policy of the university should
promote multilingualism and access of students from diverse language
backgrounds in all the campuses. The vernacular languages such as Sotho and
Tswana should be developed and promoted to be at the same academic competency
with Afrikaans.
8.1.3 Orientation and initiation practices
·
The
university should ban all initiation rituals and demeaning practices during the
orientation period of first year students, particularly those living in student
residences. The university should further inject additional resources to
monitor residences during orientations as it was alleged that such incidences
take place at night.
·
The
Minister should engage with the Minister of Basic Education in pursuit of
eradicating illegal initiations of learners at all the schools for promotion of
social cohesion and nation building.
·
The university should consider establishing a
reconciliation office that will among other things develop programmes that
bridge racial divide and promote new institutional culture and identity.
8.1.4 Protection of human rights
·
Promotion
and protection of human rights abuses should form part of the universitys core
business to curb the spread of human rights violation at the campuses of the
university.
8.2
Vuselela
TVET
College
8.2.1
NC(
V) and
Report 191 certification rates
·
The
college should improve the academic performance of students to improve the
certification rates that are below the national average.
8.2.2 Security at
Matlosana
Campus
·
The
Minister should engage with the Minister of Police to find a short term
solution for protecting the campus during the December holidays. In addition, the
college in consultation with the department should find an amicable sustainable
solution to address the challenge of high level of theft and break-ins, safety
of students at the
Matlosana
Campus.
8.2.3 Filling of vacant posts
·
The Department
should urgently fill the positions of Deputy Principals and Chief Financial
Officer at the college. In addition, the department should regularly monitor
performance of SAICA CFOs at all Technical and Vocational Education and Training
colleges to ensure they achieve on the agreed deliverables.
8.2.4 NSFAS regulations
·
A
comprehensive revision of NSFAS regulations for progression, travel and
accommodation allowances rules should be undertaken by the department as they
impact on the allocations to students.
·
The
monthly travel allowance of R700 is not adequate for students and possibilities
on increment of this allowance should be explored by the department.
·
Students
who stay within 10 kilometres radius of the college should be allocated a
commensurate transport allowance to enable them to come to classes regularly
and for their safety.
·
The college
should consider sourcing a reliable transport service to transport
those student
who meet the eligibility criteria for transport
allowance.
·
NSFAS
should meet its 30 days turnaround time for processing and payment of claims.
8.2.5 Restructuring
·
A
restructuring process of the college should be undertaken in consultation with
the Department to reduce duplication in job description and high wage bill.
·
The Department
should rectify irregularity of appointing senior managers with the same key
performance areas at different post levels.
8.2.6 Student accommodation and
infrastructure
·
The
department should provide additional allocation for infrastructure development
particularly for student housing to improve the number of students accommodated
at the college given its rural location.
·
The Department
should consider conducting a comprehensive study on student housing at TVET
colleges and to find better ways to progressively eradicate the challenge.
8.2.7 Migration process
·
The Department
should regularly update TVET colleges and their stakeholders on progress with
regards to the migration process envisaged to take place on 1 April 2015.
8.2.8 Financial Aid Offices
·
The Department
should explore the possibility of NSFAS having FAOs located at institutions
during the registration period, in particular institutions that are not part of
the pilot of the student centred model.
Report
to be considered.
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