Sedibeng college students demand NSFAS grant

VANDERBIJLPARK.- “No money, no school”.This is what most of the posters carried by the Vanderbijlpark Sedibeng College students during a protest last week declared.

The students are demanding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowance. These students have embarked on protests since last Monday, burning tyres and closing the college’s entrances with stones. They say they will do this until their demands are met by government.

They told Sedibeng Ster that they have not received their NSFAS money and even if they get it, it is halved. NSFAS is a bursary scheme which provides poor and working class South African students with fully subsidised free higher education and training. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Vanderbijlpark Sedibeng College student representative, Gift Moleko said the students have waited long enough for their NSFAS allowance. He also told Sedibeng Ster that when they do receive the allowance, it is not the full amount they should get.

“This is frustrating because authorities keep promising to get our money but fail to keep their promise. Enough is enough and we don’t want to hear their lies any more. The only time we will go back to class is after we receive our money. Some students rely heavily on this allowance in terms of paying rent, transport and for food,” said Moleko.

At the time of going to print Sedibeng Ster was still awaiting comment from Sedibeng College officials after students also marched to their headquarters in Vereeniging last week.