Dept denies admission service

2003-08-18 15:48

Cape Town - The education department has rejected rumours the ministry is poised to establish a National Higher Education Information and Applications Service.

Weekend media reports alleged such a service would put admission decisions for the entry of students into higher education into the hands of the government.

"No such action is contemplated," the department said in a statement on Monday.

"In the National Plan for Higher Education, which was released early in 2001, it was indicated that a study would be commissioned to investigate the establishment of a National Higher Education Information and Applications Service.

"A report of the findings of this study was released late last year for comment from the higher education sector," the department said.

A detailed response was recently received from the umbrella bodies of vice-chancellors, the South African University Vice Chancellors Association (SAUVCA) and the Committee of Technikon Principals (CTP).

This submission was currently being studied by the ministry and would be followed up with further consultations before any decisions were made.

"However, it must be emphasised that in terms of the models being investigated, the admission decisions remain that of the higher education institutions.

"What is being proposed is an agency, preferably owned by the higher education sector, to administer the applications process. Such systems are well established in many countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland."

The main purposes of such a service included providing information on the academic programmes of universities and technikons to all potential applicants, a one-stop approach enabling students to make a single application with a single fee, and more effective monitoring of equitable access to higher education, the department said.

- SAPA