This week the Higher Education and Training Minister, Naledi Pandor, published a draft of her Central Application Service Bill (PDF) for public comment, with the aim to simplify and streamline applications into higher education and training programmes.
According to IOL News, the draft service bill is published in the Government Gazette, and will offer advice and serve as an application channel, and provide support for all students applying for post-school education and training.
“The Bill recognises the need for informed access to public post education and training institutions for prospective students. The need for a simple, fair and cost-effective application process for these students was earmarked, while going about it by way of a single application,” said Pandor.
The publication adds that the service bill will support students with access post-school opportunities and make informed decisions, as well as the opportunity to apply for more than one institution and pay a single application fee.
“The government felt that the needs of the students could best be served by the central Application Service for all public post-school education and training institutions, this would be done by coordinating and managing the applications across the public post-school education and training sector,” explained the Minister.
This service bill applies to all public post school education and training institutions, such as universities, TVET colleges and in-service training facilities. The bill will also provide a mechanism to determine fees chargeable to prospective entrants for admission and also provide a mechanism which provides equal opportunities for all prospective entrants.
