The IFP Youth Brigade in KwaZulu-Natal has recently offered shelter to a number of students who have been evicted from private accommodation situated close to the Ladysmith TVET college.
This follows the failure of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cover the private accommodation costs of students attending Ladysmith TVET college.
The IFP Youth Brigade has subsequently provided temporary relief to the students by accommodating them, and providing the students with sleeping equipment and food packages.
It is incredibly unfortunate that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has blindsided a number of students who are not able to find on-campus accommodation, and that they are unable to take care of students who are currently destitute.
The IFP Youth Brigade has only intervened to expose the Department, NSFAS and the landlords who have shown no compassion during this difficult time in which students are left facing many grave uncertainties, as the country battles Covid-19.
What is more worrying, is the fact that the Department is unable to put a roof over students’ heads while we face a crisis of corruption, shortages of protective equipment and wholesale looting of billions of Rands in tenders that have been abused.
Furthermore, school-going learners are facing various challenges as schools have reopened in the province, yet teaching and learning have been taking place at a snail’s pace, and classes have been irregular.
Many scholars who reside in dormitory accommodation at boarding schools are left in the lurch not knowing when or where they will get their next meal from – this is as a result of feeding schemes not being up-and-running in the province.
The IFP Youth Brigade in KZN urges the provincial department of Education, the DHET and NSFAS to urgently ensure that all scholars and TVET college students are prioritised and that their needs are met.
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Contact:
Brian Masondo
IFP KZN Youth Brigade Chairperson
062 753 2686