THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will start processing payments to institutions and paying student allowances from Friday, 08 April 2022.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, NSFAS confirmed that it has received the first tranche of its budgetary allocation for the first quarter of the financial year.

“An official communication has been sent to all institutions on the allowance payment process. The institutions that have complied with the 2022 approved NSFAS Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid will receive payment from NSFAS.

“The communique from NSFAS further requests institutions to abide by the funding rules set out in the NSFAS Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid, when disbursing funding to students,” NSFAS said.

You qualify to apply for a bursary if:

You are a South African citizen;Your combined annual household income does not exceed R350 000 per annum;You are a SASSA grant recipient;You are registering for the first time for an undergraduate qualification at a public university or you are registered at a TVET college for one of the National Certificate Vocational or report 191 programme;You are applying to study at a public university or TVET college for a qualification;You are an already registered university student with an annual household income of less than R122 000 per year;You have passed Grade 9 and 10 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a TVET college;You have passed Grade 12 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a university.

SA NEWS

YOUNG adults and teenagers who went to state schools in England are as happy with their lives as their peers at private schools, according to a new study by researchers at University College London.

The research found few differences in mental health or life satisfaction between the two groups, which surprised the study’s authors because of the substantial advantages in spending on wellbeing and support enjoyed by those at private schools.

Dr Morag Henderson, of UCL’s social research institute, the paper’s lead author, said: “Although school resource is greater in private schools, the academic stress students face might be too and so we see each force cancelling the other out.”

The study – published in the Cambridge Journal of Education on Thursday – is based on responses from a national sample of more than 15,000 people born in 1989 to 1990 who attended school in England, and were surveyed as teenagers and later in their 20s.

“While these methods do not prove causality, the absence of significant positive effects implies that there is no evidence that parents who decided to pay for private schooling were gaining mental health and life satisfaction advantages for their children,” the authors stated.

The research measured participants’ mental health by asking questions such as: “Have you been able to concentrate on what you are doing?” and “Have you lost sleep over worry?” It found little difference in responses between the two groups before and after adjusting for factors such as social background and educational achievement.

Those who attended fee-paying independent schools did report higher levels of life satisfaction in their 20s. But after responses were adjusted to exclude the effects of advantages such as higher income, house ownership and better exam results, the researchers again found no substantial differences in satisfaction levels.

Girls at private schools did report better states of mental health at the age of 16 than their peers at state schools but the same gap did not appear at the age of 14 or 15.

The study concluded that “there is no additional advantage of private schooling with respect to mental health and life satisfaction” for the cohort it studied. But it cautioned that private schools have further increased their spending on wellbeing and pastoral support in the years since the sample group attended school.

Dr Henderson said it was possible that the increased pastoral support “was just starting to make a difference” for private school pupils, who she thought might have received more support during the Covid lockdowns.

“This is speculation but it might be that we see state school students fare worse in terms of mental health compared to private school students, post-lockdown. This question is ripe for future analyses,” Dr Henderson said.

Earlier research among those born in 1970 found that attending a UK private school was associated with “heightened psychological distress” among women. But since the 1980s private schools have greatly increased their spending on supporting pupils.

THE GUARDIAN

WENDY MOTHATA|

A SUPPORT group called the Justice for Sibongile Mani said that the Walter Sisulu student accused of theft of NSFAS millions was used as a scapegoat.

Briefing the media this week, the group slammed Mani’s conviction and sentencing to four years in jail.

“We believe she is not a criminal as proclaimed by some in the media. She is an innocent who is used as a scapegoat to cover tracks of actual criminals that are still out there roaming around without taking any responsibility,” the group said.

Mani is currently out on bail after she was granted leave to appeal by the East London regional court.

In a bid to keep Mani out of jail, the group announced that the president of the WSU convocation, advocate Thembeka Ngcukaithobi will help Mani’s legal team in appealing the sentence.

Mani’s matter will be heard on the 11th of April.

Businessman and “The People’s Blesser” Malcolm X has since pledged to pay R500 000 in a desperate attempt to get convicted Mani out of jail.

Mani was found guilty of theft after she allegedly splashed R800 000 of the R14-million on parties and designer clothes.

The money in question was erroneously paid to her by Intellimali, a service provider contracted by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), in 2017.

Last week, the East London Regional Court’s magistrate Twanet Olivier said that a suspended sentence was not appropriate for Mani and sentenced her to five years in jail.

Olivier further said that Mani spent money not on essential items to stay alive, adding that she spent the cash on luxury items “inspired by greed and not need.”

“The court has a duty to impose a fearlessly appropriate and fair sentence even if such a

sentence would not satisfy public opinion,” Olivier said.

“The only form of sentence deemed fit by this court is that of direct imprisonment and you

are sentenced to a term of 5 years imprisonment,” said Olivier.

According to the state, between 1 June, when the money landed in her account, until 13

August, when NSFAS uncovered the error, she had spent an average of R11 000 per day.

The then accounting major student was due to receive her monthly R1 400 food allowance, but because of what was described in court as a “ridiculous and absurd technical glitch”, R14 million was credited to her bank account. 

INSIDE EDUCATION

Free State (UFS) has confirmed the arrest of a student, saying they are hot on the heels of more suspects responsible for the near total destruction of two buildings amounting to millions of rand in damages.

In a statement on their website UFS spokesperson, Lacea Loader, says that the preliminary findings of an urgent investigation indicate that the buildings on campus grounds were intentionally set alight. The fire broke out at the UFS Qwaqwa campus on Monday evening.

She says that they are in the process of identifying more suspects. The institution will initiate disciplinary action against suspects who are registered as students.

Criminal charges will also be laid against perpetrators.

Loader says the two buildings, which housed a clinic and a computer laboratory, were almost completely destroyed. Damages are estimated at R35m.

The academic programme at the Qwaqwa campus continues, mostly online, for the remainder of this week.

“The campus remains open; the university’s protection services is on high alert and is monitoring the situation on campus closely,” Loader says.

It is alleged that students have recently been unhappy about payments of allowances that they are yet to receive from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“To alleviate this, the UFS has so far this year offered students allowances for food and books amounting to more than R71 million, while they are waiting for their NSFAS subsidies to be released,” Loader says.

OFM News previously reported that two students were allegedly shot with stun grenades during a protest march at the UFS main campus in Bloemfontein on Monday.

Reporting by local agencies

SPORT Sciences in Africa have the University of Cape Town sitting on the discipline’s throne after it was announced that the university has been placed top, not just in South Africa but on the African continent, for the Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.

The rankings were determined by Shanhai Rankings 2021 Global Ranking, and highlight the performances of over 300 universities.

Among these, 287 universities and 13 sports universities with sporting departments or units were compared and considered.

Professor Vicki Lambert, the director of UCT’s Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS) said: “We are a small group of dedicated researchers, including 12 NRF-rated scientists, enthusiastic postgraduates and a wide network of international collaborations.”

“We are committed to translation of our work, that it is inclusive and ‘difference-making’ to policy and practice and that we innovate, developing bespoke solutions relevant to the Global South,” she added.

In speaking to eNCA, Lambert noted that a key strength for the University comes from international collaborations and that the ranking, which is in the top 14% globally, is also accredited to research published in the top journals for a discipline among other indicators.

The rankings are considered by looking at different categories, from papers indexed in Web of Science, to total citations, citations per paper and papers published in the top 25% of journals, as well as those papers marking international co-authors collaborations.

The achievement follows other triumphs from UCT for 2021, including the university leading Africa in five key world university rankings. These include the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) and the ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

UCT NEWS

ZIMSEC O-Level results for November 2021 are expected to be out this week.

In a statement, Zimsec said it had met the time period of two months after the last examination for 2021 was written on January 31, 2022.

Last week Zimsec released November A-Level results and statistics showed a 84,67 percent pass rate compared to 80,98 of November 2020.

Zimsec attributed delays of results to Covid-19 mitigatory measures which caused schools to shut down for a long period.

“The December 2021/2022 Advanced Level examination results were released on 5 April 2022 and the Ordinary Level examination results will be released this week.

“The 2021 school calendar was disrupted as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary education had to put in place mitigatory measures to curb the upsurge and spread of the Covid-19.”

The ministry also moved the examinations to later in the year to give time to complete teaching and learning and full coverage of the syllabus.

Hence examinations supposed to run from October to the end of November were moved to start on December 1, 2021 to enable candidates and teachers to complete the learning process that had been disrupted, read the Zimsec statement.

THE HERALD

IT’s finally here. Inside Education has launched its quarterly print publication. The publication will be distributed to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

The quarterly print publication, edited by veteran journalist Phindile Xaba, will feature regular columns such as science & technology, classroom management, financial literacy, school sports and revisions, to assist learners to prepare for their exams.

Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education, said he was excited about the launch of the new print publication.

He described the publication as a resource tool for both educators and the learners- aimed at improving the quality of education in South Africa.

“The new print publication will not only serve as a resource tool for educators and learners, but will go a long way in improving the quality of education in South Africa,” said Letsoalo.

“Our content is aimed at empowering teachers, learners and students. It is also a tool for encouraging good leadership, ethics and good governance within the education sector.”

Flying high| Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education

Letsoalo said Inside Education will distribute 120 000 copies for free to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

He said the new print publication was a long time coming because when he first initiated the Online platform devoted to education and all related matters throughout the continent few years ago, he didn’t realise there was such an appetite.

“It’s unique position to close the vacuum covering the entire education process from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Lifelong Learning saw it become one of the continent’s leading resource for educators, learners and students, a necessary tool to encourage good leadership, ethics and astute governance within the education sector,” said Letsoalo who is former Mail & Guardian Politics Editor.

“Today, our digital platforms reaches over 3,1 million audiences. It is for this reason that we are expanding to print so we can reach schools in rural, peri-urban and other peripheral areas across the nine provinces in the country.”

Xaba, who was hand picked by Letsoalo to become editor-in-chief, comes from a history of editing multiple education publications, including The Teacher, formerly owned by the Mail & Guardian newspaper.

She said she was quite delighted to work in the space at this crucial time.

“I look forward to contributing towards being part of the solution and thanks to the publisher for the opportunity. Together with the assembled team of highly professional media people, we only aim to make this a support resource for teachers, learners, ECD facilitators, tertiary institutions and all artisan training facilities.”

– Inside Education

IT’s finally here. Inside Education has launched its quarterly print publication. The publication will be distributed to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

The quarterly print publication, edited by veteran journalist Phindile Xaba, will feature regular columns such as science & technology, classroom management, financial literacy, school sports and revisions, to assist learners to prepare for their exams.

Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education, said he was excited about the launch of the new print publication.

He described the publication as a resource tool for both educators and the learners- aimed at improving the quality of education in South Africa.

“The new print publication will not only serve as a resource tool for educators and learners, but will go a long way in improving the quality of education in South Africa,” said Letsoalo.

“Our content is aimed at empowering teachers, learners and students. It is also a tool for encouraging good leadership, ethics and good governance within the education sector.”

Flying high| Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education

Letsoalo said Inside Education will distribute 120 000 copies for free to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

He said the new print publication was a long time coming because when he first initiated the Online platform devoted to education and all related matters throughout the continent few years ago, he didn’t realise there was such an appetite.

“It’s unique position to close the vacuum covering the entire education process from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Lifelong Learning saw it become one of the continent’s leading resource for educators, learners and students, a necessary tool to encourage good leadership, ethics and astute governance within the education sector,” said Letsoalo who is former Mail & Guardian Politics Editor.

“Today, our digital platforms reaches over 3,1 million audiences. It is for this reason that we are expanding to print so we can reach schools in rural, peri-urban and other peripheral areas across the nine provinces in the country.”

Xaba, who was hand picked by Letsoalo to become editor-in-chief, comes from a history of editing multiple education publications, including The Teacher, formerly owned by the Mail & Guardian newspaper.

She said she was quite delighted to work in the space at this crucial time.

“I look forward to contributing towards being part of the solution and thanks to the publisher for the opportunity. Together with the assembled team of highly professional media people, we only aim to make this a support resource for teachers, learners, ECD facilitators, tertiary institutions and all artisan training facilities.”

– Inside Education

IT’s finally here. Inside Education has launched its quarterly print publication. The publication will be distributed to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

The quarterly print publication, edited by veteran journalist Phindile Xaba, will feature regular columns such as science & technology, classroom management, financial literacy, school sports and revisions, to assist learners to prepare for their exams.

Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education, said he was excited about the launch of the new print publication.

He described the publication as a resource tool for both educators and the learners- aimed at improving the quality of education in South Africa.

“The new print publication will not only serve as a resource tool for educators and learners, but will go a long way in improving the quality of education in South Africa,” said Letsoalo.

“Our content is aimed at empowering teachers, learners and students. It is also a tool for encouraging good leadership, ethics and good governance within the education sector.”

Flying high| Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education

Letsoalo said Inside Education will distribute 120 000 copies for free to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

He said the new print publication was a long time coming because when he first initiated the Online platform devoted to education and all related matters throughout the continent few years ago, he didn’t realise there was such an appetite.

“It’s unique position to close the vacuum covering the entire education process from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Lifelong Learning saw it become one of the continent’s leading resource for educators, learners and students, a necessary tool to encourage good leadership, ethics and astute governance within the education sector,” said Letsoalo who is former Mail & Guardian Politics Editor.

“Today, our digital platforms reaches over 3,1 million audiences. It is for this reason that we are expanding to print so we can reach schools in rural, peri-urban and other peripheral areas across the nine provinces in the country.”

Xaba, who was hand picked by Letsoalo to become editor-in-chief, comes from a history of editing multiple education publications, including The Teacher, formerly owned by the Mail & Guardian newspaper.

She said she was quite delighted to work in the space at this crucial time.

“I look forward to contributing towards being part of the solution and thanks to the publisher for the opportunity. Together with the assembled team of highly professional media people, we only aim to make this a support resource for teachers, learners, ECD facilitators, tertiary institutions and all artisan training facilities.”

– Inside Education

IT’s finally here. Inside Education has launched its quarterly print publication. The publication will be distributed to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

The quarterly print publication, edited by veteran journalist Phindile Xaba, will feature regular columns such as science & technology, classroom management, financial literacy, school sports and revisions, to assist learners to prepare for their exams.

Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education, said he was excited about the launch of the new print publication.

He described the publication as a resource tool for both educators and the learners- aimed at improving the quality of education in South Africa.

“The new print publication will not only serve as a resource tool for educators and learners, but will go a long way in improving the quality of education in South Africa,” said Letsoalo.

“Our content is aimed at empowering teachers, learners and students. It is also a tool for encouraging good leadership, ethics and good governance within the education sector.”

Flying high| Matuma Letsoalo, Executive Chairman of K and K Media Group, which owns Inside Education

Letsoalo said Inside Education will distribute 120 000 copies for free to all schools, universities and TVET colleges across the country.

He said the new print publication was a long time coming because when he first initiated the Online platform devoted to education and all related matters throughout the continent few years ago, he didn’t realise there was such an appetite.

“It’s unique position to close the vacuum covering the entire education process from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Lifelong Learning saw it become one of the continent’s leading resource for educators, learners and students, a necessary tool to encourage good leadership, ethics and astute governance within the education sector,” said Letsoalo who is former Mail & Guardian Politics Editor.

“Today, our digital platforms reaches over 3,1 million audiences. It is for this reason that we are expanding to print so we can reach schools in rural, peri-urban and other peripheral areas across the nine provinces in the country.”

Xaba, who was hand picked by Letsoalo to become editor-in-chief, comes from a history of editing multiple education publications, including The Teacher, formerly owned by the Mail & Guardian newspaper.

She said she was quite delighted to work in the space at this crucial time.

“I look forward to contributing towards being part of the solution and thanks to the publisher for the opportunity. Together with the assembled team of highly professional media people, we only aim to make this a support resource for teachers, learners, ECD facilitators, tertiary institutions and all artisan training facilities.”

– Inside Education