Question to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology - NW596

04 April 2017 - NW596

Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

(1)With reference to the report by the Ministerial Committee on the funding norms for technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, (a) on what date did the study on funding norms commence, (b)(i) at what stage and (ii) to what extend were TVET college principals consulted and (c) how will the findings affect the total amount allocated for the medium term budget framework at TVET colleges; (2) Whether students will in future be capped at TVET colleges in light of the lack of growth in student numbers according to the medium term budget framework; if so, what are the relevant details? (3) What plans are in place to phase in the new funding framework once it is adopted in order for colleges to budget in time for any differences in income that may occur?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. (a) The Ministerial Committee was established by the Minister of Higher Education and Training and published in Government Gazette No. 38053 on 3 October 2014. The Committee was inaugurated by the Minister and commenced its work on 5 March 2015. The duration of the project was initially twelve months and it was later extended until 31 March 2017.

(b) The Minister also established a Reference Group on which Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college Principals are represented by the nominated executive members of the South African College Principals’ Organisation. The Committee has held various consultative meetings with the Reference Group.

(c) The aim of the Ministerial Review Committee is to redesign the funding distribution mechanism including the differentiation between funding requirements of rural and urban colleges. At present, it is not envisaged that the revised funding norms will bring about changes in the total amount allocated for the medium term budget framework for TVET colleges. The report from the Ministerial Review Committee is expected by 31 March 2017 after which a consultative process will be adopted before implementation.

2. Based on the funding shortfall currently experienced by the TVET system (in the region of R10 billion), the envisaged enrolment targets as set in the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training will not be achieved. The Department has therefore indicated to the TVET colleges, the maximum state funded enrolments, which therefore still permits TVET colleges to exceed these numbers if they can afford to enrol higher numbers. However, it will be based on the financial capability of the specific TVET college. The targets for the 2017/18 financial year are as follows:

State funded enrolments: 429 638
College funded enrolments: 235 110
Occupational programmes (funded from other resources): 45 787

Total 710 535

3. The proposed funding framework, once approved by the Minister, will be published in a Government Gazette for public comment. This will allow all affected stakeholders to make inputs, including proposals on plans to implement the new funding framework. A readiness assessment will be conducted and TVET colleges will be consulted on the development of a national implementation plan.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 596 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING