DA: No tangible info in Nsfas 'missing middle' announcement
The DA says the new Nsfas funding model aimed at the so-called missing middle " is an attempt to shift attention away from Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande's corruption allegations.
On Sunday, Nzimande announced that R3.8 billion has been set aside for the funding of the students whose families earn R350 000 but not more than R600 000 per year.
However, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education Chantel King says the mishandling of funds at Nsfas jeopardises students' education.
"The lack of clarity and accountability in the handling of funding issues by Nsfas and government officials jeopardises the education and prospects of the affected students, highlighting the urgent need for a prompt and transparent resolution to mitigate the potential disaster unfolding in the educational landscape.
"Minister Nzimande’s announcement of his missing middle funding model yesterday is nothing but a blatant attempt to steer attention away from himself and the Nsfas board chair and left out tangible information such as the date of implementation and repayment terms and conditions."
King says Nsfas’ financial sustainability will not be solved by limiting income contingent loans to just the missing middle.
"Fee-free higher education is unsustainable, and with university grants also being cut, higher education institutions are being left in a precarious situation that will continue to exclude the missing middle from accessing higher education.”
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