Question NW1677 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

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07 August 2020 - NW1677

Profile picture: Bozzoli, Prof B

Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

(1) How precisely will the cut in the funding of technical and vocational education and training colleges, resulting from the reduction and reprioritisation of funds, affect the 2021 new student intake in each centre of specialisation; (2) whether fewer students will be admitted; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by what number will the intake be reduced and (b) what other costs will be cut?

Reply:

(1)        In November 2019, an allocation of R170.293 million was made from the 2019/20 budget to the Centre of Specialisation students for the year 2020. 

             This comprised of:

  • 1 210 returning students from 2019 (1stcohort)           =-    R 84 million 
  • 840 new enrolments for 2020 (2ndcohort)                   =       R 86 million

The Centres of Specialisation were unable to realise the new enrolments for 2020 given the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, largely due to uncertainty in employer commitments and as a result, no new enrolments will take place in 2020. This accounts for R86 million of the R170 million which colleges will carry forward into the new financial year. Three colleges started their second intake in 2020 and as such will not be allowed to start a third intake in 2021.

New allocations will be made in March 2021 and the second cohort will be able to start the programme, if employers are ready. The timing of the payment from November 2020 to March 2021 will therefore ensure minimum further disruption of the programme.

(2) (a) There will be no third intake in 2021.

(b) No other costs have been cut as student fees are paid to colleges for the different cohorts.

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