DASO calls for NMMU to withdraw from NSFAS pilot project

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DA students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University have held a picket protest demanding the university to withdraw from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme pilot project.

A handful of students marched on Thursday from north to south campus to hand over a memorandum to the office of the Vice Chancellor.

DASO SRC presidential candidate, Hlomela Bucwa, says this year the system was centralised and became problematic for students in need of funding.

Bucwa says they are appealing that the pilot project be implemented only once it is effective.

"Everything was done at the head office in Cape Town. This then lead to a problematic system that over 50% of students who applied for NSFAS did not get funding, a lot of the students who had the potential who were financially needy, did not get the assistance. We understand that there is a need for government intervention because of the corruption that has transpired, we are asking them to put aside the pilot project." says Bucwa.

Acting Dean of Students, Mxolisi Ncapayi, says a meeting was held yesterday with a NFSAS delegation to address problems that have been ongoing during the year.

"We will work together with NSFAS in Cape Town to try and make sure all the problems we had this year are not repeated next year."