Despite the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allocation announced by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on Monday being increased to R9.5-billion it was still believed to be lacking.

Portfolio Committee on Higher Education chairperson Yvonne Phosa noted on Thursday that, while it was commendable that the Department of Higher Education and Training increased funding for tertiary students, it was still “inadequate.”

The NSFAS provided loans and bursaries to students at all 26 public universities and 50 public technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, which would cater for 205 000 students at universities and 200 000 students at TVET colleges.

“We agree with the [previously made statement by the] Minister that the higher education allocation of 1.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) is very low and we support the need for more funds to be allocated to institutions of higher learning to meet the need for a continuous increase of access to higher education and training, high-quality education and equity.

“We call upon business, future employers and individual donors to partner with the department by availing more funds for bursaries. We also appeal to universities, as much as it’s their prerogative, to consider assisting in alleviating the challenge by using their reserves,” said Phosa.

She further observed that the harsh reality is that there were limited places available at universities and “we would like to encourage students to enroll at TVET colleges as advised by the department”.

This echoed Nzimande’s sentiments that graduating matriculants should not consider acceptance to a university as the only option available to kick-start their career, but that they should investigate other further education opportunities within the post-school education and training (PSET) system.

“In 2014, the department published a policy on the provision of distance learning as part of the broader focus on building capacity in the post-school education and training system. Students who cannot access entry at universities are encouraged to consider registering at distance learning institutions,” Phosa highlighted.

Currently, 425 095 opportunities were available to school-leavers in 2015 within the PSET system – 28 646 above that offered by the national tertiary education system in 2014.

“On behalf of the committee, I would like to wish all the 2015 tertiary students a productive and successful academic year,” Phosa added.