To: ALL MEDIA

DATE: 8 January 2018

For immediate release

 

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela, together with senior officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) today met with a delegation from the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC). The meeting was part of the Departments ongoing engagement with stakeholders within the higher education and training sector. Deputy Minister Manamela and Department officials clarified several issues with the EFFSC.

 

Deputy Minister Manamela reiterated that online applications remain the primary method for applications, however certain institutions have set up mechanisms for late applications. The DHET also recommended that prospective students should still use the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) for late applications.

 

The DHET also clarified that there would be no registration fees to be paid upfront for students at TVET colleges and Universities who qualify for NSFAS funding. Students who do not qualify for NSFAS funding will have to pay the registration fees upfront.

 

The DHET also clarified that all private higher education institutions and colleges have to be registered with the department and a publicly available register of accredited institutions is on the DHET website. The DHET will work with the EFFSC and other student formations to root out these “fake and fly by night institutions” and more public education is needed on this matter.

 

Deputy Minister will continue meeting with student formations this week to clarify matters related to the implementation of fee-free education so that poor and working class students can continue to benefit from our post school education and training system.

 

Ends

 

For more information:

Matshepo Seedat
Media Liaison Officer
Telephone: 012 312 5067
Mobile: 082 679 9473
Email: Seedat.M@dhet.gov.za

 

Spokesperson
Madikwe Mabotha
Chief Director: Communication
Telephone: 012 312 5024
Mobile: 081 710 3321
Email: Mabotha.M@dhet.gov.za

 

Issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Training