NSFAS earmarks R3.6bn to varsities

It has also earmarked more than R1.7bn for Further Education Training (FET) colleges for 2012 compared to R1.2bn allocated last year in the same period.

Addressing MPs on Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday, NSFAS's new chief executive Nkosinathi Khena said that when allocating funds, their criteria, among others, took note of historically disadvantaged institutions, as well as how money had been spent in the previous year.

He said that these monies were for student funding only and not for the operations of the institutions.

For example, he indicated that Walter Sisulu University would receive nearly R2.5m in 2012 compared to the R148.7m it received last year, while Tshwane University of Technology would get R393m compared to 2011's R42.7m.

Limpopo University has been earmarked to receive R203m compared to last year's R186.9m, while North West University would get R124m compared to the R115.9 from last year.

On FETs, Boland College would get R35.7m in 2012 compared to last year's R23m, while King Sabata Dalindyebo FET College would get R24m compared to the R17m it received in 2011.

Work generally welcomed

The committee generally welcomed the work being done by NSFAS, but raised some concerns affecting higher education.

Azapo MP Jake Dikobo said there were allegations that some students being funded for accommodation were letting their rooms and choosing to stay in shacks in townships. There were also claims that some lecturers were renting out these rooms.

ANC MP Zondi Makhubele concurred, saying that some students were claiming refunds at the end of year and spent the money on things that were not related to their studies.

He said that such students would complain that they did not have money to register at the beginning of the following academic year. He cited an example of a student that had claimed R11 000 and spent it all.

Khena said students were not supposed to claim refunds at the end of the year. He added that they would get to the bottom of the issues raised by the committee.

Higher Education South Africa acting chief executive, Jeffrey Mabelebele, who was asked to respond on the matter, said he was not aware of such incidents.

"Certainly, without facts at my disposal, it sound illogical (students claiming refunds), I need the facts."