Question NW2031 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

Reply:

1. University Students: The acquisition of digital learning devices for the 2020 NSFAS funded students registered at public higher education institutions shall be funded by the students’ learning materials allowance made available by NSFAS on a loan-to-buy basis.

Where a NSFAS funded student has the 2020 learning materials allowance available at the date of applying for the digital learning device, that learning materials allowance will be used by the institution to purchase the device on behalf of the student. Where the 2020 learning materials allowances has been used by the NSFAS funded student, the 2021 learning materials allowance shall be used to purchase the digital learning device. Should the student not return as a NSFAS funded student in future academic years, the student is liable to repay the amount due to the institution. Where applicable, the institution shall utilise its existing policies and procedures/guidelines to recover funds for the purchasing of the digital learning device from the student.

TVET Students: The acquisition of digital learning devices for the 2020 NSFAS funded students registered at public TVET colleges shall be as a once-off arrangement for the duration of their studies and a once-off 3-month data allowance in line with the negotiated deals between the Department and mobile network operators, with the exception of Trimester 1 and Semester 1 students who are already exiting the system. The digital learning device is a once-off allowance for the current 2020 academic year. Since this is an allowance, ownership of the digital learning device will vest with the student. Institutions must therefore ensure that only NSFAS funded students who are currently enrolled and registered with the TVET college receive this allowance and digital learning devices. Since Trimester 1 and Semester 1 are already at the end of the cycle, these students are not eligible to receive digital learning devices and shall be excluded from this once-off scheme.

1. University Students: The institution shall issue a purchase order together with the NSFAS student details and at a minimum, the institution will maintain proper records of all digital learning devices distributed to NFSAS funded students. Rules on the return of devices to the institutions must be provided for in the asset management policy of the institution. The institution shall coordinate the logistical arrangements with the service provider(s) to ensure that the appropriate checks and balances are implemented and agreed upon to guarantee that the correct NSFAS funded students receives and accepts responsibility for the safekeeping and care of the digital learning devices.

TVET Students: The TVET college will maintain proper records of all digital learning devices distributed to NFSAS funded students. The digital learning devices will be delivered directly to NSFAS funded students. The TVET college shall coordinate the logistical arrangements with the service provider(s) to ensure that the appropriate checks and balances are implemented and agreed upon to guarantee that the correct NSFAS funded students receives and accepts responsibility for the safekeeping and care of the digital learning devices.