PC Higher Education: Consideration of outstanding minutes and other related matters

Meeting report

The Chairperson set aside time for Members to peruse the minutes before consideration.
He noted that one of the issues that required the Committee’s attention was the proposed briefing by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on its advocacy plan in rural schools. The Department of Higher Education and Training was also scheduled to present its Strategic Plan 2011/12 to the Committee within a few weeks time.

The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee had received an invitation to attend an Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) Conference on the 24 & 25 March 2011. The invite stated that 4 Members could attend. The Committee had to decide which Members would attend. The Committee had a Strategic Planning Workshop scheduled for the 29-30 March 2011. The problem was that the two days set aside for the Workshop clashed with meetings that the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education had scheduled. The Committee had to sort out the issue.

Minutes dated 18 and 25 January 2011 and 8 and 16 February 2011 were adopted as amended. The Committee agreed that the minutes should be contextualised and should not be captured as the meeting unfolded. Issues pertaining to the same topic should be captured together even though it might have been discussed at different parts of the meeting.

It was agreed that the Chairperson, Mr K Dikobo (AZAPO), Mr A van der Westhuizen (DA) and one other ANC member would be attending the ETDP SETA Conference. However the members would only be allowed to attend on 25 March 2011 as parliamentary commitments precluded them from attending on 24 March 2011.

The Chairperson asked Members what should be done about the planned Strategic Workshop that was scheduled for 29-30 March 2011.

Mr Anele Kabingesi, Committee Secretary, explained that the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education had a budget vote of its entities scheduled for the dates planned for the Strategic Planning Workshop.

The Chairperson stated that the Committee would have to decide on the scheduling of the Strategic Planning Workshop. He welcomed comments from members. Many people including stakeholders would be invited to the workshop. 

The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee would undertake an oversight visit to the University of Cape Town on 22 March 2011. The Committee needed to decide if this visit would still go ahead.

Mr Kabingesi informed Members that the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education was occupied on the 22 March 2011 and hence would be unable to accompany the Committee on the visit.

The Committee agreed to tentatively place the oversight visit on hold until a proper programme could be structured.  

The Chairperson stated that on 23 March 2011 the Department was to present on its Budget Vote.
On the 5 April 2011 the Committee was scheduled to meet the Council on Higher Education. Besides dealing with the Strategic Plan the Committee had to discuss substantive issues with the Council.

Mr N Vukuza (COPE) asked whether Parliament would be in recess from the 1-8 April 2011.

The Chairperson agreed to check on the dates.

The meeting was adjourned.