Tvet Colleges In South Africa News

Tvet Colleges In South Africa News

Recent Innovations and Initiatives in South African TVET Colleges:

Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande disclosed the government’s intentions on Saturday to enable students to return to campuses. The most important announcements included providing NSFAS students with 10GB of free data from June to August; implementing mandatory screenings for all students and staff upon campus entry; and permitting one-third of students to return to campuses and residences during Level 3 of the lockdown.

Currently, final-year students in programs requiring clinical training, especially in medicine, have been returning since mid-May. All other students are continuing their studies through digital and alternative means until they can physically return.

During Level 3, a maximum of 33% of students will be permitted back on campuses and in residences, provided they can be accommodated in adherence to health and safety protocols. President Cyril Ramaphosa previously indicated that most of the country should reach Level 3 by the end of May.

Under Level 3 guidelines, eligible students must be in their final year and require access to laboratories, technical equipment, data, connectivity, and accommodations, either on-campus or in private residences. Postgraduate students needing laboratory and technical equipment for their studies may also return under these conditions.

Students in all years of study requiring clinical training in their programs will also be allowed to return. Universities have the discretion to permit residence for students facing “extreme difficulties” in remote learning at home.

Upon the announcement of Level 3, students will have a period of two to three weeks to return to their campuses. Institutions will issue permits to identified students for their travel. Under Level 3, only a third of students will be permitted to reside in campus residences.

Tvet Colleges In South Africa News

Internet-based instruction and learning at public TVET colleges in South Africa The lack of bandwidth has historically prevented many public Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa from using the Internet for teaching and learning.

The South African Broadband Education Networks (SABEN) expanded 200 Mbps fibre connections to TVET college campuses and sites in 2024–2025, increasing the colleges’ ability to use the internet for teaching and learning. Due to lockdown restrictions and social isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2023 generated an unanticipated need for institutions to use the Internet for teaching and learning.

Most of the colleges responded by fast-tracking existing plans and putting ad hoc arrangements in place to manage the transition to e-learning. In late 2024, SABEN commissioned a study to investigate the perspectives and experiences of key staff members at the 50 TVET colleges about using the internet in teaching and learning; the challenges, initiatives and innovations that have arisen; and their vision for how e-learning could or should be developed.

The study aimed to inform SABEN’s strategy going forward and to share current knowledge, insights and recommendations about the use of the Internet for teaching and learning at the colleges with stakeholders across the TVET sector. This report on the study has been prepared for public dissemination.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges now have access to the South African National Research and Education Network (SANReN) backbone thanks to the TVET Campus Connection Programme (TCCP). There will be no data shaping or limitations and upload and download rates of 200Mbps.

Once the country reaches Level 2, two-thirds of the student population will be permitted to return to campuses. This includes first-year students in all undergraduate programs, as well as students in all years of study who need laboratory and technical equipment to finish the academic year.

Additionally, students in all years of study who require practical placements, experiential learning, or workplace-based learning to complete their academic requirements will also be allowed to return, provided the workplaces and platforms are operational and ready. During Level 2, two-thirds of campus residences may be occupied.

It’s only at Level 1 that all students will be allowed to return to campus.

Read Also: SWGC Latest News 2024-2025

CET Tvet Colleges In South Africa News

Students enrolled in the General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), Senior Certificate, and National Occupational Certificates at Community Education and Training (CET) colleges are required to return by 17 June. Exam dates have been rescheduled to the following year to allow them to complete the 2020 academic year.

Tvet Colleges In South Africa News On Nsfas

Nzimande announced that all NSFAS students, including Funza Lushaka teaching bursary recipients, would receive 10GB daytime and 20GB nighttime data for three months, starting from 1 June until the end of August, thanks to a new agreement with cellphone service providers at advantageous rates.

He emphasized that these students must register their cellphone numbers with their institutions and refrain from changing their SIM cards during this period.

Nzimande acknowledged that the government could not subsidize data for students categorized as the “missing middle,” who are not eligible for NSFAS bursaries but come from households severely affected by the pandemic. However, he urged cellphone companies to collaborate with institutions to offer affordable data packages to these students.

He mentioned that the government is actively pursuing an affordable higher education loan scheme in collaboration with the private sector.

Furthermore, an agreement has been reached with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to grant NSFAS access to up-to-date tax data for verifying applicants’ household incomes. Additionally, NSFAS will now be able to consider other sources of income, such as investments and rental income, during the assessment of applications.

Nzimande emphasized that these measures will significantly aid in resolving pending appeals.

Contact Information

Visit: 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria, South Africa
Private Bag X174, Pretoria, 0001
Contact Details: 0800 87 2222/+ 27 12 312 5911
Email: callcentre@dhet.gov.za

Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or an employer, stay updated with the latest news on TVET colleges in South Africa and discover the remarkable impact they are making in shaping the future of our nation. For more enquiries, visit Tvets Colleges for more details.

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