Question NW2868 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Reply:

(a) (i) The Ministerial Report on the Review of Student Housing at South African Universities undertaken in 2010 showed that the public university sector had sufficient spaces in university owned on-campus accommodation for approximately 107 598 or 20% of the contact student population. The report estimated that 195 815 new beds were required to effectively house an ideal number of students who required accommodation.

Between 2012/13 and 2014/15, the Department allocated R1.748 billion in infrastructure and efficiency funds towards the development of student housing and approximately 7 400 new beds have been constructed (completed) bringing the current on-campus stock up to approximately 115 000 beds. Some funded projects are still due for completion. This figure does not include any university projects funded by other means, or private accommodation that may have been developed. However, it is known that substantial private housing has been developed, especially in urban areas. The updated stock of available accredited affordable student housing needs to be determined as part of the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme.

(ii) The Department conducted a survey on student accommodation at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in 2010 and is currently updating this information as part of a college infrastructure self-assessment.

The survey was to have been completed by 31 August 2017. At this date, 47 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges had completed and submitted their information. Follow-ups are being made with the 3 remaining TVET colleges to complete and submit their information. Preliminary data indicates that there are approximately 15 489 bed spaces at TVET colleges.

(b) The Ministerial Review Report recommended that ideally universities should be providing beds for 50% of contact students on campuses in urban areas where there are available and affordable off-campus accommodation, and 80% on rural campuses where there is little / inappropriate off-campus accommodation.

These figures were used to calculate the estimated shortage of on-campus accommodation. However, it is recognised that the solution involves institution owned accommodation on-campuses as well as privately owned accommodation and ideally, over time, all student accommodation should meet the norms and standards required for conducive living and learning spaces.

(c) The Department is committed to addressing the student housing shortage through its comprehensive long-term plan, the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP), planned over a 10 year period from 2016-2026.

The objectives of the programme are to provide safe, affordable housing for students so that they can study, graduate and provide the skills necessary for employment and economic development. Through this programme, the Department aims to address the backlog of student housing at universities and TVET colleges and to create sustainable living and learning environments. The goal of the 10 year programme is to provide 200 000 new beds at universities, and 100 000 new beds at TVET colleges, depending on the availability of funding not only for infrastructure projects, but also for operations and student financial aid. A challenge still remains that there are no earmarked allocations of voted funds for TVET College infrastructure ever since the Department was established in 2009.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

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ACTING DIRECTOR–GENERAL

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QUESTION 2868 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

PROF. HB MKHIZE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

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