Dear Portfolio Committee on Basic Education,

I am a member of the community deployed by MME Foundation to represent civil society in recruitment of students to study education in South African Universities.

I am a member of the Community Recruitment Committee for Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme in the Basic Education while administered by National Students Financial Aid Scheme.

Since Funza Lushaka was established in 2007 as poverty alleviation programme through education as the first qualification. It is worst than surprising that no board has been established even when the demand is increasing by the day.

Funza Lushaka pays National Students Financial Aid Scheme R20 Million every years to administer its disbursement to beneficiaries. This budget is enough to establish systems in order to reduce frustrations of students.

The third party administration also give officials reasons not to account to the budget and names of beneficiaries. It is known factor that 6 out 9 provinces have now declared a crises in placement process.

It is my humble request that Portfolio it hold DG responsible for further to take advantage of creating employment through reversal of National Students Financial Aid Scheme to create state entity that would account to DG.

Demand name of beneficiaries and proof of payment.

Use funding model as a means to force service providers to absorb students who procured their services.