Question NW174 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
28 February 2023 - NW174
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
With reference to the account statement that shows an unpaid balance as at 1 February 2022 of Ms Otlametse Khonkhobe, who graduated from the Tshwane University of Technology in May 2022 but has not yet received her certificate to date due to the specified university claiming that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has not paid all the fees as approved for her studies in 2021, (a) where did he get the record that the fees were paid and (b) why has the student not yet received her academic certificates after a year since graduation?
Reply:
a) Both Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirmed that NSFAS paid R80 394 towards the student’s account for the 2021 academic year. However, TUT submitted claims to NSFAS of R21 481,31 as part of the close out and historic debt project towards the student’s fee account as follows:
|
YEAR |
NSFAS TO PAY |
|
2018 |
R 511,51 |
|
2019 |
R 19 321,47 |
|
2020 |
R 801,49 |
|
2021 |
R 846,84 |
|
2022 |
- |
|
Total amount |
R 21 481,31 |
The years 2018, 2019 and 2020 are currently being reconciled as part of the close out and historic debt project. Universities have been given the close out files depicting the status of funding for their affected students to proceed and assist student where NSFAS has agreed or confirmed the students as NSFAS beneficiaries.
b) TUT indicated that the student graduated in May 2022 after receiving a letter confirming completion of her qualification, which is a minimum requirement for students with an outstanding debt. TUT practice is aligned with the USAf approved Guidelines for Issuing Public Universities Academic Records for students with outstanding debt. The TUT practice is that all students who have completed their studies receive a confirmation letter indicating that they have completed the qualification and will only obtain the certificate after their debt has been settled. All students who have completed their studies are also allowed to graduate.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Director-General sign Parliamentary Question 174.
DR NKOSINATHI SISHI
DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DATE:
PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 174 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.
COMMENT/S
DR BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
DATE: