Latest news with #Umalusi
IOL News
27-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Limpopo school wins legal battle for exam centre registration
The Limpopo High Court ordered the province's education department to register a rural school as an exam centre following years of bureaucratic stalling. Image: File A rural school in Limpopo scored a legal victory against the province's education department to register the school as an exam centre as the court has decided to intervene because the future of the learners is at stake. The BBKS High School, situated at Ga-Phala Village near Burgersfort, has been embroiled in a longstanding battle with the Limpopo Department of Education. It eventually turned to the Limpopo Division of the High Court, sitting in Polokwane, to have the school registered as an exam centre. The application invoked the right to basic education, of particularly grade 12 learners. The school wanted the court to declare that the school has met the requirements for registration as a grade 12 NSC examination centre. The battle between the school and the department has been ongoing since early 2022, after an application for it to be registered as a grade 12 NSC registration centre was lodged. Because of the bureaucratic deadlock, more than three years later, the school was still not allowed to operate as an examination centre. The school is registered as a non-profit organisation and it operates as a school or learning centre offering basic education to learners doing grades 8 to 2023, the department granted the school a provisional registration as a private school. It has been operating in that capacity since its registration. The department, however, in a letter, told the school that it is not in a position to be registered as an accreditation centre as it does not have Umalusi accreditation. It was then directed to move its learners in the relevant grades [10-12] to other schools. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Prior to sending the letter to the school, the department had conducted a feasibility study, in which it was recommended that its registration as an examination centre be considered. Still, the department would not budge to register the school as an examination centre. Umalusi, meanwhile, asked the school for the NSC examination centre number as it said it cannot finalise the accreditation process without this number. The department persisted in its refusal to grant the school the number. The school said that this left the learners in an invidious position. 'The learners' rights to receive or access basic education are trampled by the ongoing issues. The challenges are within the remit of the department and Umalusi to resolve, yet the school is sent from 'pillar to post' about the situation,' the court was told. Acting Judge MZ Makoti said the department ought to have provided the school with an examination centre number that is needed by Umalusi to finalise the accreditation process. 'Its refusal to provide the number is unfathomable. It ignores the fact that it, and not any other institution, granted the school approval to start operating," the judge said. In granting an order in favour of the school, the judge added that there are children who are already attending at the school whose educational progress might be adversely affected by the decision taken by the department. 'Their futures are at stake. This calls for the court to intervene,' the judge said.
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Higher education minister apologises for late Nsfas payments
The minister also highlighted that approximately 800 students at a "specific institution" continue to face challenges with their fund transfers. The Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, on Sunday, released a statement addressing crucial issues affecting students who rely on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas). Nkabane's address focused primarily on the delayed disbursement of Tvet allowances and provided updates on the Nsfas appeals process. Late Nsfas Tvet allowances finally reach students Nsfas has issued an apology for the delayed payment of Tvet student allowances that were originally scheduled for 25 April. According to the minister, the delay was caused by 'a system glitch related to the size of the batch files.' The payments were subsequently processed on 26 April and reflected in student accounts by 27 April. 'We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the delays in allowances – delayed payments are unacceptable,' stated Nkabane. 'We recognise the impact of these delays as students depend entirely on their allowances for living expenses.' The minister also highlighted that approximately 800 students at a 'specific institution' continue to face challenges with their fund transfers. Nsfas has committed to resolving these outstanding issues by Wednesday. ALSO READ: Nsfas warns students to pay landlords or face eviction Outstanding 2024 payments being addressed The minister confirmed that Nsfas remains committed to settling all outstanding amounts from 2024, including payments owed to both students and accommodation providers. Nkabane added that a detailed communication outlining the plan for these outstanding payments will be released by Wednesday. 'Access to education is not just a privilege; it is a fundamental right that facilitates personal and national growth,' she emphasised in her statement. According to Nkabane, progress has been made in addressing appeals submitted for 2025, with the Nsfas Appeals and Tribunals Committee currently reviewing outcomes to ensure consistency and proper application of policies. Students are encouraged to regularly check their accounts for any additional documentation requirements related to their appeals. ALSO READ: Nsfas payment delay puts student accommodation at risk Resolution of qualification code discrepancies Nkabane shared that a breakthrough has been achieved in resolving issues related to qualification code mismatches that had prevented fund disbursement to eligible students. These discrepancies primarily affected students enrolled in two specific National Certificate (Vocational) programs. The minister reported that 80% of the results were released to examination centers on 2 April. She added that additional evidence is being gathered by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which will be submitted to Umalusi by 5 May for National Certificate (Vocational) Levels 2 to 4. 'Subject to Umalusi's approval, we anticipate the release of results on 9 May 9 and 12 May,' Nkabane stated. With these issues resolved, affected students should receive their Nsfas funding without further delay. NOW READ: Eleven classrooms destroyed after fire guts Riverlea High School
IOL News
23-04-2025
- General
- IOL News
Umalusi raises alarm over declining quality of TVET exams
Inside one of the TVET colleges in the country. Concerns have been raised by Umalusi over the quality of examinations in Tvet Colleges Umalusi has sounded the alarm on the declining quality of TVET examinations, revealing that nearly a third of the question papers used in the November 2024 exam cycle were marred by grammatical errors. The quality assurance body also reported a significant drop in the number of papers meeting acceptable standards, with only 77% passing initial moderation, a sharp decline from 87% the previous year. The report, which covers the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)] and NATED Report 190/191 Engineering Studies qualifications, found that 46 question papers contained grammar and language issues. These included 'confusing and awkward phrasing,' 'incorrect use of terminology,' and instances where 'instructions to candidates were incomplete, unclear, or not in accordance with DHET specifications.' Umalusi also raised concern over misalignment between question difficulty, time allocation, and mark distribution. In some cases, candidates were unable to complete papers within the allocated time, while others finished too early due to underdeveloped content. Adding to these concerns, the report highlights widespread problems with Internal Continuous Assessment (ICASS) tasks. A total of 43% of sampled lecturer portfolios were missing one or more required components, including lesson plans, task memoranda, or learner feedback records. At King Hintsa TVET College, no assessment documentation was submitted at all. 'This level of non-compliance compromises the credibility of the assessment process,' the report notes. 'The failure to meet the minimum requirements of the ICASS guidelines reflects poor planning and oversight at institutional level.' In the practical assessment component (ISAT and PAT), resource constraints continued to cripple performance. Umalusi reported that in one case, a lecturer had to use his personal vehicle as a training tool due to the absence of proper equipment, and that some workshops operated without electricity. 'These persistent challenges raise serious questions about the readiness of some colleges to offer credible vocational training,' the report stated. Meanwhile, marking processes also showed signs of strain. The DHET submitted 20 requests for marking concessions, more than in 2023, but Umalusi rejected nine of them. The report indicated that several concession applications failed to meet basic criteria, citing concerns over the experience and qualifications of proposed markers. Private colleges were again highlighted as repeat offenders in examination irregularities. Umalusi noted unresolved cases from previous cycles, with some private sites showing 'no significant improvement.' The body has instructed the DHET to block results for implicated centres and candidates pending investigation. THE MERCURY
