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NSFAS branding seen at an Application Outreach Drive
The decision to place the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration by Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has been welcomed by Universities South Africa (USAF), an umbrella body which represents all 26 public universities in the country.
Manamela made the announcement on Monday, citing ongoing governance as well as financial and operational failures at the institution.
During Monday’s media briefing, Manamela stressed that the intervention is aimed at stabilising NSFAS without affecting its core function of supporting students.
The announcement comes just days after two NSFAS board members resigned.
Universities South Africa CEO, Phethiwe Matutu, says a longer-term plan needs to be implemented to ensure sustainability of the scheme.
“As USAF, we welcome the decision by the minister, however, we see it as a short-term intervention. We feel that we need to have a national dialogue because of the persistent interventions which have had to be put in place in order to rescue NSFAS. So, we do need to have a discussion and a dialogue on the long-term sustainability of governance and effectiveness of NSFAS, while recognising the meaningful reform that is essential so that it can operate.”
NSFAS Briefing | Update on developments at the Student Aid Scheme:
