The EFFSC condemns the return of R580 million by the Department of Higher Education, demanding more action to address student needs. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
The Economic Freedom Fighters Students’ Command (EFFSC) has criticised the Department of Higher Education (DHE) for returning R580 million to the National Treasury.
The EFFSC argues that this unspent money should have been used to support students and calls the move irresponsible and harmful to South Africa’s students.
The EFFSC accused the ANC-led government of failing the nation's youth and sabotaging the development of the country. “This unthinkable and irrational act takes place while thousands of students continue to struggle with access to higher education because of the lack of funding,” the EFFSC said.
The EFFSC pointed out that this incident is part of a troubling trend of mismanagement and inefficiency within various government departments.
“This has become a trend in many departments led by incompetent and dishonest administrators who are obsessed with manipulating audit outcomes at the expense of delivering services to our people,” the EFFSC said.
The department’s decision to return the funds comes at a time when South African higher education institutions are struggling with overcrowded conditions and inadequate infrastructure.
According to the EFFSC, thousands of students are left without sufficient accommodation, while the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector suffers from poor infrastructure and a lack of resources.
“Student accommodation, by the department’s own admission, continues to be a thorn in the sector as thousands of students suffer year in and year out due to the shortage of beds,” the EFFSC stated.
The EFFSC also highlighted ongoing issues within the TVET sector, including deteriorating facilities and insufficient learning materials, which contribute to high dropout rates.
The EFFSC condemned the return of the funds, saying it worsens financial exclusions and increases inequality in higher education.
“Returning such a huge sum of funds to the national treasury at a time where there is a high number of financial exclusions at tertiary education is both irresponsible and illogical,” the EFFSC emphasised.
Despite the outcry, the EFFSC is not surprised by the department’s actions. “Although dismayed, we are not shocked by these actions and/or lack thereof,” they said.
The organisation criticised both the ANC and the Grand Coalition of the ANC and DA for what it sees as a failure to address educational inequities. “They are complicit in making education inaccessible to the children of the working class.”
The EFFSC is calling for accountability from the Department of Higher Education, demanding that the mismanagement of resources be addressed and that measures be taken to ensure that future funds are used effectively to benefit students.
“We cannot have a department returning so much money while students are languishing from hunger, period poverty, and mental health issues.
“The department must be held accountable for destroying the dreams and aspirations of many young people who had to drop out due to lack of funding,” they said.
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