SOUTH AFRICA: Student aid body welcomes review

19 July 2009

South Africa's National Student Financial Aid Scheme, or NSFAS, says it supports a Ministerial Review established by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, reports the Skills Portal. A government proclamation issued on 1 July officially transferred oversight of the financial aid body to Nzimande, who has asked the review to advise him on how to provide free higher education for poor students.

A review of the organisation was initially set up by former Education Minister Naledi Pandor after the NSFAS drew up a strategy document and presented it to her. "Many elements of the Terms of Reference of the Review Committee reflect issues raised in the NSFAS document, and we are therefore positive about the review since we believe it will address some of the matters we have raised and researched that we believe need to be given attention," said NSFAS spokesperson Bonny Feldman.

A newly-formed Portfolio Committee for Higher Education and Training in parliament has raised concern about R40 million (US$5 million) in unspent bursary funds that were returned to NSFAS by universities that were responsible for allocating them to needy students.
Full report on the Skills Portal site

See also "On step closer to free varsities" in the Mail and Guardian

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