SASCO KZN

All NSFAS funded students, please take note of this scam alert.
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The Regional Chairperson of SASCO Durban Central, Azania Zuma, attending an interview at Inanda FM. Alongside are DASO, SADESMO and EFFSC leaders.

Catch the Durban Central Regional Chairperson, Azania Zuma at Inanda FM (frequency 88.4) this evening.

Time: 18:00-19:00

Topic: A panel discussion between SASCO, EFFSC, SADESMO and DASO: The importance of student activism in institutions of higher learning.

Azania will be engaging listeners on the significance of joining the South African Students'Congress.

SASCO KwaZulu-Natal PEC Members were at Elangeni TVET College, Ndwedwe Campus, overseeing the Right To Learn Campaign & recruiting first year students into the organisation. ✊✊✊✊✊

The Provincial Chairperson of SASCO KwaZulu-Natal, Cde Lusanda Zwane will be on Highway Radio Station at 18:30 (101.5 FM) discussing the -Militarization of state institutions
-The organizations view on preparing for higher education from basic education level
-Mental health in institutions of higher learning, amongst many other things.

Do tune in.

Time: 18:30
Date: Thursday 24/01/2020
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PEC Member of SASCO KZN, Cde Zakithi Zulu visiting Msunduzi TVET College for the SASCO Right To Learn Campaign.✊✊✊✊✊

Update on our visit to Thekwini College, Centec College:

There were a number of prospective students who were at the institution with their pre-enrollment forms. Many of them were turned away because spaces were already occupied.

We had a meeting with the Campus Manager, Mr. Mchunu, so as to get a better understanding of the pre-enrollment system and its significance in the TVET College.

1. Pre-enrollment does not guarantee space as it needs you to physically come for screening in the institution.

2. Pre-enrollment is basically eligible to everyone who applies at the TVET college and has no limit. It does not necessarily mean one has secured space to study at the institution.

3. They do not utilise the pre-registration system to accept prospective students because its NOT an application. No results are uploaded during the pre-registration. It is designed for one to receive a reference number & to be included into the system.

4. Even calling the list of students who had pre-enrolled was an issue and they were thus not able to call nor message students individually.

5. In essence, you can be pre-enrolled and not recieved any space as there is a first come-first serve system with regards to registration.

We then questioned the issue of the intake.

6. All departments projected 3 groups for N4 in the year 2019. The pass mark was 98%, which was a huge pass rate, and this thus resulted to lack of space in N5 & N6 because there needs to be an intake of new students in addition to the existing students who were doing N4 & had been promoted. Lack of facilities in the institution is therefore a matter of concern.

Projections also depend on staff members and programs.

2021 intake may differ depending on the submission of removing the Art & Design program. It is said to take a lot of space and requires more facilities.

There has been a mandate by council to take NCV, however staff members are not in agreement with this decision.

When it comes to funding NCV takes more weight as this requires more resources as they need to cater for more subjects compared to Nated. This means the number of educators also needs to increase & there equally needs to be Head of Departments for moderation purpose.

Update on our visit to Thekwini College, Asherville Campus:

Returning student registration took place on 14th-15th. 1st year registration is tomorrow (16th) and Friday (17th Jan).

Pre-enrollment is currently open & will also reopen again in June.

Asherville has a problem with space so sometimes there's 60 students in two classes for N4.

They only offer three courses:

Safety in Society
Education and Development (Level 2)
Public Management (which is full). It's been opened since last October.

The rest have space but there's uncertainties on whether they are taking late applications.

Res applications will open on Friday (17th January)

Thekwini College has 6 campuses and only ONE residence situated at Asherville campus. The residence is not even big enough to accommodate one campus.

With regards to NSFAS, students apply through the institution and most students always receive their funds, including transportation.

If you study part time- you pay 50% of your fees and the other 50% is paid by NSFAS.

Only Public Management is available for part-time.

Today, PEC and REC members visited Elangeni TVET College, Pinetown Campus & DUT Durban campus as part of our branch visits.

Brief update of the visits & issues identified, particularly at Elangeni TVET college:

1. Registration for new and returning students commenced today, so the campus was full to the brim. Priority is given to those who had pre-registered in October of the previous year. Registration in the institution is obviously not online for both new and returning students; they are therefore subjected to long ques.

2. There are no walk-ins/Late applications at this stage, as a result many students were turned away. This includes students who applied via the Central Application Office & who may have received firm offers. Consideration is allegedly ONLY made to those who physically apply at the institution.

3. What we have identified as a matter of concern with regards to the intake at Elangeni is that, there is a money-making scheme system that is being utilized to enter students in the institution. Although the campus claims to have reached its intake, there are students who pay to have spaces created for them, which practically means such spaces do, in actual fact exist.

4. Unfunded class will not be operating this year.

5. The residence that exists only caters to females and only accommodates 60 female students, while there are +-5000 female students in the institution (This is information we received from one of the SRC members).

6. There were complaints regarding NSFAS in the TVET college, particularly with regards to the time in which e-wallets are transferred to students. Sometimes students receive their money 4 months later than the stipulated time.

We have requested a meeting with the campus manager at Elangeni, so as to enquire and address certain issues we are not happy with as an organisation, but that is yet to be confirmed

With regards to DUT Durban Campus.

Comrades had been assisting students with their late applications.

What we have identified, and poses as a matter of concern is the depoliticization of the institution, where cdes can no longer run the RTLC inside the premises of DUT, nor can they enter as a group. This also includes students who may not have received firm offers in the institution. There isn't much information we received with regards to the registration process as gaining access to such information is difficult with the organisation being out of power.

Catch the SASCO KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, Sduduzo Malinga at Inanda FM (frequency 88.4) this evening.

Time: 19:00

Topic: Social exclusion in the education sector and SASCO Right To Learn Campaign in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊

SASO UKZN Edgewood Campus.
Right To Learn Campaign.

Happy belated birthday to the media & communications officer of SASCO KZN Cadre Sinoxolo Duma.