With the first week of lectures already over, the academic futures of 126 Rhodes students hang in the balance as shortfalls in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have affected thousands of students around the country, who have taken to the streets in protest.
With the first week of lectures already over, the academic futures of 126 Rhodes students hang in the balance as shortfalls in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have affected thousands of students around the country, who have taken to the streets in protest.
South African Students Congress (Sasco) president Ntuthuko Makhombothi called on students to boycott university registration until all students are given equal opportunities. .
The NSFAS funds tertiary education for all of South Africa's 25 public universities and 50 public FET colleges.
Rhodes University has spent the funds it keeps in reserve for needy students and has rejected the 126 students on financial grounds.
Manager of Undergraduate Financial Aid at Rhodes, Luyanda Bheyile told Grocott's Mail the university had rejected 65 prospective students and 61 returning students dueto insufficient funds. It's still uncertain whether these students will be admitted.
This is despite efforts by the University and the Student Representative Council (SRC).
The SRC is following up on promises made by NSFAS and political officials in order to salvage the current situation.
A meeting was held on Thursday 6 February, which included representatives from various University sub-structures, the SRC, NSFAS officials and members of the Parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education and training.
Chairperson Ishmael Malale told SRC President Brad Bense that the portfolio committee would intervene by sourcing funds for the students.
“They said they were goingto try and find funds. We gave them a list of names and they had promised to make a plan,” said Bense.
Rhodes University did not benefit from a R1bn cash injection from Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande. However, as of yet, there has been no delivery on these promises.
“The problem is that [members of the parliamentary portfopio committee]don’t make the higher decisions. We have to wait on the decision-makers”, said Bense.
The SRC worries that many students jeopardise their own chances by providing false, incomplete or unsubstantiated appeals.
SRC Academic Councillor, Victor Mafuku said, "We have students who claim that a parent has died, but provide no death certificate.
"Or we have cases where someone is repeating third year for the third time. In those cases, it is hard even for us to help them, besides providing them with a plan B.”
Nevertheless, Bense said the SRC tries to see every case through, especially with NSFAS funding.
“We’re trying to understand the system. We’ve tried to do some digging but all that we have is a 2011 handbook. We’ve requested more documents.” said Bense.
The SRC will release a full statement once they have a response from officials.
Bense said the SRC was aware of around seven students who had been re-admitted.
The re-admitted students received funding from the NSFAS, though Bense says it is unclear whether this is because of talks with Malale or because the students approached the NSFAS privately.
“I am quite hopeful. The officials we spoke to seemed really concerned and I think they would want these students to have the opportunity,” Bense said.
Grocott’s Mail's attempts to get comment from the office of Malele were unsuccessful.
