Pretoria - An additional amount of R150 million has been allocated to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to focus on addressing scarce skills.
Making the announcement on Monday, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said through the National Skills Fund (NSF), the department has set aside R22.9 million that will be dedicated to funding 820 first year students and R7 million towards a special bursary scheme targeting rural students who have done exceptionally well in the 2010 Grade 12 examinations.
In responding to its commitment to promoting access to tertiary education for people with disabilities, the department has also set aside R21 million for 300 first year bursaries for people with disabilities, with the balance of R99.1 million to be allocated to students who are already studying in the scarce fields.
The NSF will also be allocating R100 million Career Wise bursaries in the following categories:
* R17 million to fund 258 first year students
* R4 million for the Dipaleseng Special Bursary Scheme
* R4.6 million for 67 first year bursaries
* R11.5 million to support 245 first year students pursuing studies in Chartered Accountancy at the University of Fort Hare
In a bid to ease access to Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and help the country to meet its needs for intermediate and technical skills, hard working students from poor families, will this year be exempted from paying academic fees.
The bursary, to be allocated to students, whose parents earned a combined salary of R122 000 per annum, will cover tuition fee, accommodation, meals and transport costs.
However, Nzimande called on recipients to work hard as the department will be monitoring their performances, warning that if they fail to produce good marks, the bursary would be forfeited.
"This is not a free ride, we require students to work hard. You can't continue to get a bursary if you don't deliver, I'll look closely on students performance," warned Nzimande.
In addressing the challenge of shortage of career guidance in schools, the department and South African Qualifications Authority has entered into partnership with SABC to provide learners with information on career guidance, for learners who are not sure which path to follow.
The career information will be broadcast in all Nguni radio stations.
Nzimande said he was excited about the partnership, as it will improve the challenge by learners in choosing the career to pursue.
"Our aim is to ensure that information follows to rural schools and that no learners should go to school without such information. It should be made available earlier in their schooling careers," Nzimande noted.
Advice may be obtained via the career advice centre, career advice website www.careerhelp.org.za or from NQF and Career Advice Helpline on 0860 111 673.
The helpline can also be contacted via SMS on 072 2045 056 or email help@nqf.org.za. The Post-School Options Information Pack is available on www.careerhelp.org.za or maybe emailed to callers who request the pack from helpline 0860 111 673 or SMS 072 2045 056 or email help@nqf.org.za
