Question NW4493 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
07 December 2022 - NW4493
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to question 3609 on 25 October 2022, wherein she indicated that during the 2013 to 2021 period, a total number of 33 113 bursary recipients who were eligible for placement graduated, whom were placed after graduation and a total number of 135 309 received bursaries during the specified time, of which only 33 113 graduated were placed, what (a) total number of the original 135 509 (i) changed streams and/or (ii) dropped out and (b) is the reason for the discrepancy of students that registered versus the 33 113 who graduated and/or were placed?
Reply:
(a) 135 509 refers to the number of bursaries awarded between 2013 and 2021, not the number of recipients, as the number of recipients was 43 014. Bachelors of Education degree (B Ed) is a four-year degree; and therefore, one person will receive a minimum of four bursaries in the four years of study at universities - meaning that 43 014 recipients received +/- 135 509 bursaries in their four years of study. The indicator on Funza Lushaka is a cumulative target / indicator, and it is expected that the Department of Basic Education reports on the number of bursaries awarded each year, i.e., the "Number of Funza Lushaka bursaries awarded to students enrolled for Initial Teacher Education per year”
(i) changed streams and/or (ii) dropped out and (b) is the reason for the discrepancy of students that registered versus the 33 113 who graduated and/or were placed?
Reply:
(i) (ii)
The DBE does not have the details of the students who changed streams; as well as those who dropped-out. such information may be requested from universities via Department of Higher Education and Training.
(b)
There are no discrepancies, the difference is between 43 014 and 33 113. 33 113 reflects returning bursars (students), i.e., bursars that are currently studying at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).