'Digital devices’ for NSFAS student to save academic year

This applies to students at public universities and TVET colleges. 

 Speaking during a virtual meeting of the higher education committee on Thursday, Nzimande admitted that the department has not reached its target of supplying the devices to students.

“On the 30th of April we announced that we would be providing digital devices to NSFAS students. 

“We have not reached the state that I will like for us to reach, this is something that we need to speed up as quickly as possible.”

Nzimande said the devices will not be free as students will have to pay for them.

“The cost of the device will be offset against their learning material allowance for 2021.

"Our plan is that these devices should not be free but should be charged against the resources assigned to the students so they can take these devices and take responsibility for them.”

The beginning of level four of the lockdown has seen a phased in return to tertiary institutions for final year and undergraduate students in programmes that require clinical training.

However as certain parts of the country gear themselves for level three of the lockdown, more students will be making a return to institutions of higher learning. 

The Department says under level 3 and 2 a further phasing in of groups of undergraduate and postgraduate students will commence. 

This will be based on a national criteria to ensure that a “controlled return” can be observed.