Sibusiso Zindela

DUT students who are funded by NSFAS voice out complains of not receiving laptops promised by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande.

In support of distance learning encouraged by the department of higher education, Nzimande guaranteed that all NSFAS funded students including universities and TVET colleges, would receive laptops to help students with distance learning. It’s been over four months and students have yet to receive laptops.

2^nd year DUT student, Nkanyezi Ngele, said it’s been difficult learning online without a reliable device.

“It has been extremely challenging learning online without a laptop. I have paid so much money on internet cafes so I can be able to complete all my assessments. We are about to start our second semester and I hope the government delivers on it promises,” she said.

Another DUT student whose doing his final year in engineering, Sabelo Cele, said that it is not only the issues surrounding laptops but also data that they were promised.

“It’s not only laptops, I haven’t received even the data that some students have received. To be honest I knew there was a possibility that we were never going to get the laptops, with so much corruption there is amongst the heads of state, it clear they misused the funds allocated for the laptops,” he said.

“Failure to lead reveals itself at such times, this is just one of the reasons the SRC has no faith in the palm-greasing institution NSFAS and the ANC governance of SA. It has been months after the “no students shall be left behind” campaign had begun and all those who were advocates for it not reap fruits at the poor, black students’ expense. The laptop narrative we were sold seems to be one of those false self-enriching plots rather than to uplift the poor child and assist them to shine academically,” said the DUT’s student representative council led by the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Council on a statement.

According to the Business Insider SA, the tender which had called for final delivery of laptops by the end of September, was then cancelled. The newly issued tender now calls for final delivery to students by 31 January 2021.

Picture: zaoperanews.co.za