LISTEN: Blade Nzimande speaks on higher education readiness
By November, there were over 3 800 confirmed coronavirus infections reported at the country's universities.
Blade Nzimande's been speaking on the state of readiness of tertiary institutions to start the academic year.
The Higher Education Minister says more 1 400 of these cases were staff, and 1500 students.
In the universities, there were positive cases of about 3 088 with 1 499 staff and 1 588 students.
"The total number of deaths at that time by 13th of November was 58, 48 staff and 10 students. We also lost 23 staff member in the TVET college sector. The Community Education Colleges, four passed away," says Nzimande.
He says the department working on updating these figures.
READ: Zweli Mkhize in KZN to inspect health facilities
On NSFAS, Nzimande says they've seen a rise in applications for 2021.
NSFAS recorded over 750 000 applications for the 2021 academic year, which is a significant increase of approximately 25% growth from last year.
"Over 61% the applicants are SASSA beneficiaries. Some from within the stakeholders say we must reopen NSFAS applications, unfortunately, will are not going to do that," he says.
Listen to Blade Nzimande here:
