The aftermath of last year’s Grade 12 examinations and the subsequent release of the results earlier this year, has successful candidates pondering which routes to take, which career paths to follow and most importantly, where will the money be coming from.
A sad reality in present-day South Africa is that many students from less privileged backgrounds do not have the financial resources to meet the demands further study places on their families. Amber-moore Sallie (18), a Lanceavale Secondary School graduate from the class of 2015 is facing this seemingly insurmountable challenge for the second year running.
Sallie is in her second year of study at the Doornfontein Campus of the University of Johannesburg and is studying towards a diploma in Biomedical Technology.
She explains, “I have passed all my first-year modules with a few distinctions and have cultivated good relationships with my lecturers and studied hard.”
“I was not sidetracked by the partying on campus and maintained this focus, but I am still struggling to get funding from institutions like the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).”
She explains that the prescribed textbooks cost a pretty penny and additional supplies such as a lab coat, laboratory manuals, result books and the compulsory first aid course are placing a heavy financial burden on her.
Sallie says, “I could only get a print-out of my marks at school, but some of my results are being retained due to outstanding funds.”
When asked whether she has explored other avenues of seeking assistance, she explains that she has applied for various bursaries and will only be receiving feedback next year. She vents her frustration at the NSFAS scheme and says that it seems that students who study and achieve good results are being side-lined by the system, adding that students who are eager to learn are being deprived of funding.
Related articles:
City News – Wits Fees Must Fall Protest 20 Sept 2016
Top 3 matric pupils to get study bursary
Watch exclusive video:
Sallie talks about her battle:
