EFF challenges Higher Education Minister over lack of post-school placements for matriculants

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken aim at the Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela questioning the government’s commitment to absorbing all matriculants into post-school education.

EFF Member of Parliament (MP) Sihle Lonzi raised concerns about the insufficiency of universities, TVET colleges, and other education institutions to accommodate the thousands of learners who had recently passed their matric exams.

During an oral question-and-answer session in Parliament on Tuesday, Lonzi expressed frustration at what he deemed a hollow celebration of matric results when the reality for many graduates is a lack of opportunities. 

"What is the point of that celebration we’re doing yesterday? What is the point of that act that the Minister of Basic Education was doing, celebrating, posting posters all over, if people are going to pass matric but they are not going to be able to access post-secondary education?" Lonzi asked. 

He noted that while millions of students had successfully completed their Grade 12 exams, the education system does not have the capacity to absorb them into universities, TVET colleges, and other skills training institutions.

Lonzi questioned whether the Minister could assure the youth of South Africa that they would not be left without opportunities.

"Can you assure the learners of this country? Can you assure the youth of this country?" he asked.

He pointed out that many learners who had worked hard for their success in matric were now facing the grim reality of unemployment and exclusion from further education.

"Instead of going to school, instead of going to work, you are simply going back home to sit on your couch," Lonzi said. 

Minister Manamela, in his response, acknowledged the shortfall of available spaces in higher education institutions, admitting that the number of students who had passed matric exceeded the available capacity.

However, he assured parliamentarians that the government was making concerted efforts to address the situation.

The Minister emphasised that the government was working with the Department of Finance to ensure that all qualifying students would receive the necessary financial aid and access to further education.

He also touched on the government's efforts to improve the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), highlighting reforms aimed at preventing overspending and ensuring that funds were properly allocated to those most in need.

He stated that discussions were ongoing at Cabinet level to ensure the long-term sustainability of NSFAS, and to explore mechanisms for addressing the historical student debt that continues to weigh on the system.

"Some of the reforms that we’ve put in place will help us mitigate and prevent over-budgeting and over-enrolment of students," Manamela said. 

He also expressed confidence that the majority of students who had passed matric would be accommodated at public universities, community colleges, and TVET colleges.

Despite these assurances, Lonzi was dissatisfied with the minister's response. 

He accused  Manamela of evading the core issue by offering vague promises and failing to give a direct answer to the critical question of whether all matriculants would be absorbed into the system. "I think he’s avoiding this question," Lonzi said.

The house chair Cedric Frolick, called for an urgent parliamentary question to be submitted, demanding a more definitive response on the government’s commitment to ensuring every learner who passed their matric would be given access to post-school education.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics