NSFAS funding delays put students at risk of sexual exploitation – report

Scheme says it's working hard to facilitate payments in time to avoid inconvenience

- By Boitumelo Kgobotlo

The parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education has raised concerns that National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding delays may leave students, especially young women, vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

Committee member Yanga Govana raised concern that funding delays by NSFAS may be contributing to the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment.

The bursary scheme funds tuition and accommodation.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) presented a report to the commission indicating that sexual harassment is increasing in higher learning institutions.

Govana was especially concerned about what could happen to female students who had nowhere to sleep because of accommodation funding delays.