Manamela calls for urgent NSFAS overhaul to stabilise student funding


Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela says there is a need to stabilise the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and set in motion a sustainable student funding model.

Manamela has been speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on the long-term and short-term vision for the higher education sector.

The Minister says that the post-school education and training system remains fragmented and uneven, and funding models are unstable.

Manamela elaborates, “In the next three months, we will stabilize the National Student Financial Aid scheme and set in motion a sustainable student funding model. And to this effect, I’ve asked the CEO, the national, and the chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid scheme to convene an agent briefing and brief the nation, particularly the students, on the state of NSFAS and some of the challenges that they’ve been confronted with. To support their work, we’ve already started engagement with Treasury in filling some of the gaps that exist in student funding.”