Unused school buildings to be repurposed as student accommodation
The Department of Higher Education and Training says it's actively working on solutions to address the persistent challenge of student housing shortages.
It says it's identified a number of unused school buildings in KZN which can be repurposed into student accommodation.
The department, together with Public Works and Infrastructure, is looking to convert other buildings that are underutilised.
Officials presented a progress report to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science, and Innovation on Wednesday.
"There is blended finance, and then one is a budget facility for infrastructure, which we applied for in national treasury. One is contribution by DHET, and one is a contribution by the university itself,” says the department’s Bhekithemba Mlambo
"DUT, in particular, has come up with a lease to own, with 9 000 beds.
"DUT has been evaluated by the national treasury, and they've given it a thumbs up. We are just going through a process of having it approved internally."
