Higher education minister Blade Nzimande has given the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme until August 30 to tell him how they plan “to correct all the challenges” around the direct payment system of allowances to beneficiaries.
“The allegations relate to his work with the Seta and how this may relate to unacceptable conduct in the awarding of bids at NSFAS. While the board recognises that, in the main, the allegations stem from activities in another organisation, it views them in a serious light.” “The minister emphasised that the direct payment solution is in line with the student-centred model, which NSFAS adopted.”The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that a director of Coinvest Africa, Tshegofatso Ntumba, landed a R29m deal with Seta in 2018 to supply promotional items at grossly inflated prices.
This system has been roundly condemned by students, who recently marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to voice their dissatisfaction. Among the goods Star Sign and Print provided were 20,000 exam pads at a unit cost of R214, which, according to Outa, retail for about R21. While NSFAS refused to divulge how much the contracts awarded to the four service providers are worth, each company is expected to make about R330m over five years, according to calculations by the Sunday Times.
Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: htxtafrica - 🏆 42. / 51 Read more »
Source: ewnreporter - 🏆 35. / 51 Read more »