Higher Education admits to problems plaguing NSFAS
The Department of Higher Education has admitted to a number of problems at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
NSFAS is struggling with application backlogs while there are also concerns about staff competency and system efficiency. The Education Department's Lungani Ngqengelele says problems within the aid scheme are numerous and interlinked.
"There are issues relating to I.T where the data coming from universities does not tally with the data NSFAS receives; NSFAS has people that do not understand the student funding models, as well as the issue of students who do not update their information", he said.
"All these issues make it difficult for NSFAS to disperse funding", Ngqengelele said.
Ngqengelele says they are working to fix the issues. This week - NSFAS chairperson - Sizwe Nxasana resigned - saying the scheme was under severe financial strain.