24 July 2024
Honourable House Chairperson, it is imperative that we make significant investments in upgrading and maintaining the infrastructure of higher institutions of learning. Creating modern and conducive learning environments is paramount to our future success. While some may argue that this priority is costly, the long-term benefits of cultivating an educated, knowledgeable, and skilled workforce far outweigh the initial investment. We are resolutely committed to partnering with Minister Dr Hlengiwe Nkabane to ensure that swift and effective measures are put in place for the development of higher education institutions and student accommodation.
When promoting access to institutions of higher education, it is imperative to also prioritise the availability of appropriate student accommodation. The spatial development of student accommodation necessitates urgent attention. During the sixth administration, universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions experienced significant protests due to the lack of student accommodation, despite students having gained access to the educational sector. It is crucial to allocate increased and intentional funding for student accommodation, along with ensuring the accreditation of accommodation standards. A critical assessment of the existing student accommodation has revealed deficiencies, including insecurity due to high crime rates, distance from educational institutions, and overcrowding. The African National Congress intends to facilitate a transition in the administration of the student accommodation crisis to enhance student livelihoods.
Our department must ensure the strategic implementation of projects aimed at providing student beds, with a focus on achieving or progressing toward completion. The expeditious construction of outstanding accommodation facilities demands technical capacity and competencies among the entities awarded the tender process for the construction of beds. We need to ensure that this process is not captured through corrupt mismanagement.
In response to reduced budget allocations, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has guaranteed that these reductions will continue to support infrastructure repairs and maintenance in priority areas, such as bulk services, sanitation, teaching and learning facilities, and student accommodation.
Notably, student accommodation has garnered increased attention in recent years, resulting in the completion of 9,721 beds, representing an investment of R2.5 billion over the past two years. Furthermore, lease-to-own schemes, institution-driven initiatives, and Department-funded construction are poised to address the completion of 300,000 beds by 2031.
Honourable members, addressing the challenge of youth not in education, employment, or training requires a thorough evaluation and strategic utilisation of Community Education and Training Colleges. These institutions play a pivotal role in massifying skills provision, which is essential for the training and skills development of young people in our communities. To achieve this, we must focus on capacity building for Community Colleges through the allocation of National Skill Funding (NSF) inaugural funds.
Within the NSF, funds have been apportioned for the capacity building of Community College lecturers and the implementation of skills programs, learnerships, and non-formal programs, including Civic Education. These progressive measures have significantly benefited Community Education and Training Colleges and will continue to be essential in the upcoming administration and over the medium term. We express our unwavering support for the government’s ongoing efforts in this regard.
It is imperative to proactively address the challenges faced by the youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and unemployed graduates through targeted skills development opportunities and entrepreneurial skills development. Our approach, as the African National Congress, is aligned with the evolving dynamics of the job market, recognising the increasing importance of digital skills. Our dedication to embracing digital learning opportunities has effectively prepared young people for the evolving job landscape.
Honourable Chairperson, the African National Congress keenly recognises the importance of tackling the NEET challenge and are committed to expanding Community Education and Training colleges while concurrently offering digital learning opportunities to our youth. Post-COVID-19, the significance of digital learning opportunities has become evident, as they extend education beyond the physical confines of traditional institutions, providing flexible options for NEET youth to upskill or attain education.
Consequently, we advocate for the integration of traditional classroom teaching with digital elements to create a blended learning environment, accommodating diverse learning styles and offering online access to resources and materials. The African National Congress is actively embracing digital learning opportunities, acknowledging their potential to overcome geographical barriers and providing a cost-effective solution to accessing quality education, particularly for students facing financial constraints.
The African National Congress emphasizes the imperative of promoting mental health awareness and securing substantial funding for mental health programs within institutions of higher learning. Our primary objective is to uphold exceptional academic standards while safeguarding the well-being of students. We advocate for the cultivation of a campus environment that espouses mental health, the inclusion of mental health components in comprehensive wellness strategies, as well as the dissemination of knowledge through educational initiatives and outreach campaigns.
Failures to address mental health concerns can result in diminished cognitive concentration, information retention, and academic performance amongst students, consequently prolonging their tenure within higher education institutions. It is paramount for the respective department to attend to academic and social pressures, particularly among first-year students undergoing the transition into new scholastic environments.
In ensuring smooth transition for students from higher education to professional vocations, we posit that the provision of comprehensive support for career preparation and efficacy is essential. This necessitates the establishment of campus-based endeavours aimed at guiding students through career planning, fostering professional networks, and facilitating developmental pursuits that benefit not only first-year students but all students, notably those at advanced academic levels. By doing so, the government can nurture a workforce equipped with the requisite skills for successful career navigation and competence enhancement.
International higher education relations must proactively seek and establish partnerships and collaborations with international institutions to significantly enhance educational standards and expand opportunities for South African students. Despite potential budgetary constraints, it is imperative to engage in collaboration with international institutions that will enable our academic institutions to measure themselves against global standards. Our objective is to enhance our curriculum, teaching methodologies, and research practices. Furthermore, aligning with international institutions grants access to specialised knowledge, resources, and facilities that may not be readily accessible domestically, thereby enriching the educational experience and research capabilities for our students and faculty, especially those in the science, technology, mathematics, and engineering disciplines.
The department prioritises research funding through the National Research Fund (NRF). Engaging in research collaborations with international partners opens up avenues for fostering joint research projects, thereby creating employment opportunities abroad for a cohort of researchers. Additionally, it broadens opportunities for students, including student exchange programs, joint degree programs, dual qualifications, and internships abroad, thereby significantly enhancing their academic and personal development.
Lastly, forging partnerships and collaborations with international institutions can indeed substantially enhance educational standards and expand opportunities for our students and economy. These partnerships not only confer benefits upon individual students and institutions but also contribute to the overall development and competitiveness of the South African higher education sector on a global scale.
We want to ensure the honourable minister that we shall work hand in glove with them to ensure that over the medium-term implementation of work will be realised, as the African National Congress we support this budget.
Thank you