Question NW3654 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Share this page:

12 December 2018 - NW3654

Profile picture: Nolutshungu, Ms N

Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

(1)Whether all educators at the Sharp Edge Training and Consulting are qualified; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether all students at the institution have been paid their stipends; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she has found that there is corruption taking place at the specified institution; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. Based on the information obtained from the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), educators at Sharp Edge are qualified to facilitate training. Sharp Edge Training and Consulting is accredited by the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MerSETA) and Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) to offer training in trades such as welder, automotive body repairer and spray painter trades, automotive machining and fitting, boiler making and turning. Availability of qualified facilitators is part of the accreditation criteria that an institution should meet before accreditation is granted.
  2. The learners and staff have not been paid stipends and salaries since September 2018. TETA disbursed funds to Sharp Edge; however, these funds were misused by the management of Sharp Edge for other projects. TETA will be taking over the project and redeploying the learners to other training providers for the completion of their training. This will take effect on 13 December 2018. The stipends will be paid to the learners for the remainder of the training period.
  3. Due to Sharp Edge misusing funds intended for the development of learners, the contract between TETA and Sharp Edge has been terminated. TETA will ensure that the learners in this project are assisted in completing their training programmes by redeploying them to another training provider.

Source file