DHET establishes special war room to deal with challenges plaguing higher education sector
The war room will prioritise addressing issues such as funding delays, accommodation shortages, and administrative challenges, some of which triggered student protests in previous years.
Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. Picture: @HigherEduGovZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - In a bid to avoid the challenges that have plagued the higher education sector in previous years, the Department of Higher Education has established a special war room ahead of the 2025 academic year.
The team will include officials from the department, NSFAS, university vice-chancellors, TVET college principals, and student representatives.
This initiative was announced by Minister Nobuhle Nkabane during a two-day stakeholder meeting in Benoni, which is focused on assessing the state of readiness for the reopening of universities and colleges.
The war room will prioritise addressing issues such as funding delays, accommodation shortages, and administrative challenges, some of which triggered student protests in previous years.
Deputy Minister Buti Manamela outlined its purpose: "Part of what has been agreed to with all the sectors today is the establishment of a war room, which will comprise all of the stakeholders. It will monitor the reopening process, consistently interface with it, and deal with whatever issues may arise."
The department said the war room would provide real-time responses to problems and ensure that students had a smooth start to the 2025 academic year.
Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane and NSFAS Administrator Freeman Nomvalo are briefing the media on the state of readiness of public and private institutions. @MongeziKoko pic.twitter.com/Rcrcu7qKgL
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 22, 2025