- Support for a Unified PSET System: The ANC Study Group on Higher Education and Training welcomed Minister Buti Manamela’s strategy aiming to create an inclusive and cohesive Post‑School Education and Training sector that promotes social justice and economic transformation.
- Addressing Institutional Fragmentation and Expanding Access: The strategy focuses on eliminating structural divisions within institutions and increasing opportunities for rural and township communities, targeting youth who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) through targeted programs.
- Reforming Funding and Quality Assurance Measures: Stabilising NSFAS funding, launching a national PSET database, and piloting industry-specific curricula are key steps to restore confidence and improve the quality and responsiveness of education.
The ANC Study Group on Higher Education and Training has welcomed the bold strategy unveiled by Minister Buti Manamela for South Africa’s Post‑School Education and Training (PSET) sector. The plan underlines a commitment to a unified, inclusive system that supports youth and advances social justice, redress, and economic transformation.
At the core of the roadmap is a move to eliminate institutional fragmentation and expand access to underserved rural and township communities, closing historical gaps. Time‑bound programmes targeting youth Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), skills alignment, and the Career Choices (Khetha) initiative signal real urgency and substance to solve structural challenges. These steps, supported through multi‑sector engagement, aim to make PSET central in producing employable graduates and promoting inclusive growth.
The strategy also prioritises stabilising NSFAS a critical and overdue move essential for restoring confidence and assuring students reliable financial backing. Education and training are aligned with national economic priorities like the green economy, public sector renewal, and innovation, while institutional governance and accountability are set to be strengthened. The launch of a national PSET database and industry curriculum pilots demonstrate timely efforts to boost quality and responsiveness.
Additionally, the expansion of Community Education and Training (CET) is identified as a key investment in lifelong learning and community empowerment. Strengthened SETA oversight is expected to ensure delivery of both qualitative and quantitative value.
The ANC Study Group affirmed its readiness to collaborate with Minister Manamela, the Ministry, and all stakeholders to ensure the system delivers tangible benefits for students and the nation. The group reaffirmed the ANC’s unwavering commitment to an innovative, empowering sector that leaves no one behind.
