Massive backlog of student certificates locks thousands out of job market

20 March 2015

I will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mrs Yvonne Phosa, to request that she institute a parliamentary inquiry into the persistent backlog of certificates from Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA).

A reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that a massive 162 884 National Certificate Vocational (NC[V]) and 34 247 SETA certificates are yet to be handed to candidates. Moreover, many of these students have been waiting since 2013 and 2014 for their certificates.

The reason for the backlog given by the Department is due to a "data consolidation challenge" and "inadequate Management Information systems".

In the Portfolio Committee meeting of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) this week the Department lauded the reduction in targeted time to supply the certificates from one year to nine months. The fact that students should have to wait almost a year for their certificates is no cause for celebration. 

I constantly receive messages from students who are desperately waiting for their certificates. Without these certificates their ability to access work opportunities is inhibited. This backlog effectively defeats the very purpose for attending TEVTs and SETAs alike. 

It is an affront to these students that they have educated themselves yet are unable to seek improved job opportunities and a better life due to the ineptitude of the these institutions to simply issue a certificate.

This issue has been ongoing for years. It is therefore imperative that parliament step in and stand up for these students. 

Statement issued by Prof Belinda Bozzoli MP, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training, March 20 2015

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