Question NW4130 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
13 December 2023 - NW4130
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Given the increasing demand for accessible and quality higher education, (a) what plans have been put in place to address the expected avalanche of matriculants with bachelor passes, coupled with those who repeat courses at universities, given the limited space at universities and (b) how does his department intend to ensure financial sustainability and/or support for students in the coming 2024 academic year?
Reply:
- The limited spaces at universities arise because each institution must align with its enrolment plans. Students are therefore encouraged to diversify their options and consider TVET Colleges. In this regard, TVET colleges have planned to enrol a total of 482 244 students in all programmes for the academic year of 2024.
- Financial sustainability will be addressed through the provision of loans for the missing middle students, that is students whose household income is between R350 000 and R600 000, thus ensuring that as students repay the loans, they enable more students to access the PSET sector.