House Chairperson, the ACDP believes that to merely consider access to tertiary institutions for poor, deserving under- and postgraduates without addressing the reasons for the high undergraduate dropout rate would in all probability be a waste, ultimately, of our time and resources.
It is reported that at some institutions the dropout rate is as high as 80% and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa has managed to recover only 20% of the total R12 billion in funds it has loaned.
Access to tertiary education also means access to relevant books and equipment. Calls for government to consider dropping VAT on textbooks to free up 14% more funds for books and resource materials seem like a reasonable idea. Has the government considered this, hon Minister?
First-generation students from low-income families with cramped living conditions are, however, the most likely to drop out, and it will take nothing short of total funding on education, accommodation, food and books to ensure that students have an opportunity to actually complete their degrees.
From the ACDP would like to see the National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa linked to public-private partnerships where students are placed in companies that provide financial support, mentoring, vacation employment and an incentive to reach degree goals.
As far back as 1994, the ACDP has been calling for the introduction of a voucher system in our schools. The ACDP has also called for broader criteria for loan qualification, and we therefore support the recommendation to change the income level. This will allow additional students to qualify for partial funding, a step that would be in the right direction. Thank you.