Authors : Mubanga and Nolutho Diko
Abstract: In this study, the challenges that South African students experience with funding is explored. The study is motivated by the student riots that engulfed the country early this year. Three universities based in three provinces of the country were studied. They comprise of two metropolitan and one semi metropolitan province. The students believe that apart from funding bodies such as the National Research Foundation (NRF), National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which are usually funded by government, universities should also be held accountable for some funding shortfalls. They further claim that universities portray poor economic management of their resources, finances, income and expenditure. A mixed method approach was used to analyse the data obtained from questionnaires and run through SPSS Software Version 23. Students pointed out that they believe corruption still undermines the fairness of who gets funding. Private sector has also stepped in to offer support through scholarships and loans although there are still complaints from students on the high interest rates charged by banks for example. Students also blame the high levels of unemployment experienced in the country to failure in paying back loans.
Mubanga and Nolutho Diko, 2017. Higher Education Funding and Student Perception in South Africa. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 14: 1-6.