The Corruption and Nepotism at TVET Colleges – A Study Exposed

The Corruption and Nepotism at TVET Colleges - A Study Exposed

The Corruption and Nepotism at TVET Colleges – A Study Exposed. South African public colleges are plagued by political interference, corruption, and nepotism, a recent study has revealed. This ground-breaking research, evaluating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, was conducted by Mzabalazo Advisory Services (MAS) in February. The study was one of 30 research projects commissioned by the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in 2019 and funded by the National Skills Authority.

Research Collaboration

The five-year research program was undertaken by the University of the Western Cape Institute for Post-School Studies (IPSS) in collaboration with several prestigious institutions, including the University of Cape Town, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, the University of Fort Hare, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Other partners included Jet Education Services, the Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative, the University of Nottingham, DNA Economics, AfriGIS, and Advocacy Aid.

Research Focus

According to UWC spokesperson Gasant Abarder, the research covered a broad range of issues, focusing on governance, infrastructure, curriculum, student issues, and lecturer development. The IPSS was the lead research partner.

The Process

The study involved reviewing documents, conducting interviews, and distributing surveys to department officials, TVET council members, the South African Public Colleges Organisation, and the South African Further Education and Training Students Association. A survey distributed to council members at 48 colleges garnered 300 responses, with Johannesburg Central and Letaba colleges under administration at the time.

Key Findings

The department presented a report to the parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education in November 2019, indicating that 11 of the 50 TVET colleges had acted inappropriately during 2018 and 2019. These lapses included mismanagement, maladministration, nepotism, theft, corruption, and racism. One major criticism was that the colleges were disconnected from industry needs, an issue that had become increasingly important for councils and was leading to action in several colleges.

Council Composition And Challenges

By the time of the research, most college councils were established and constituted, but only 32% had all their members appointed according to the Continuing Education and Training Act. Finding donor representatives posed challenges, and it was suggested that the position be renamed to avoid the connotation that the person’s only role was fundraising. The annual replacement of SRC members was deemed counterproductive, and the department’s lengthy vetting process for appointing ministerial council members often led to long vacancies.

Political Interference

The study highlighted significant issues with political interference. Some principals reported problems with ministerial appointees who came into councils with political agendas, and there were frequent calls from politicians seeking to place individuals in council positions. Despite these challenges, over 80% of council members reported open and transparent communication and meaningful participation in their meetings. However, there were ongoing concerns about political appointments and attempts to secure council positions for financial gain.

Governance And Accountability

The study found that councils generally met legislative requirements, but there were tensions between councils and management, often due to disagreements over the implementation of decisions and the awarding of tenders. There was a need for better understanding and trust between governance and operations to support effective college management.

Community Relationships And Further Issues

Some colleges faced challenging relationships with their surrounding communities, with political organizations attempting to interfere in college operations. There was also a perception that many council members attended meetings primarily for the fees they received, treating council membership as a career or income source.

Conclusion

The study exposed significant issues of corruption, nepotism, and political interference within South African TVET colleges. It underscored the need for more stringent governance, better alignment with industry needs, and improved trust and cooperation between college councils and management to ensure the effective functioning of these educational institutions.

Similar Posts