Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela expects the department and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), working with institutions and student representatives, to submit a reconciled national accommodation baseline in 60 days.
Solutions to student accommodation challenges were discussed at the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training colloquium on Friday.
The platform held engagements on student accommodation, which is widely recognised as an important and critical part of student success for both universities and technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.
The committee also discussed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) student accommodation cap, funding and accreditation, and the factors driving accommodation costs across the sector.
The Higher Education and Training Department said there is a shortage of student accommodation at higher education and training institutions, coupled with substandard living conditions in much of the existing student accommodation.
