HIGHER Education Minister Blade Nzimande has berated Sector and Education Training Authority (Seta) chairmen for failing to reach out to previously disadvantaged communities.
Addressing 21 Seta chairmen in Midrand yesterday, Nzimande reminded them they would be appraised based on, among other things, opening Seta centres in townships and rural areas.
"I expect that as part of our service-level agreement, Setas will have to start opening offices in townships and rural areas...
"Ideally, every Further Education and Training college must have a Seta office. I want to see a Seta office in Lusikisiki and Emampondweni.
"Part of the negative perceptions about the Setas also has a lot to do about their inaccessibility to ordinary South Africans. Setas' location of their head offices in suburbs does contribute to the legitimate perception that such location only serves to privilege service providers over beneficiaries."
Nzimande raised concern that some Setas have been more geared towards accreditation and compliance but with inadequate attention being paid to quality, relevance and a deeper understanding of economic sectors. He said his department would appoint a team that would investigate how Setas have spent their monies over the past decade. "This is important to tell us how we can improve the functionality and effectiveness of our Seta systems," he added.
Nzimande reads Setas the riot act
HIGHER Education Minister Blade Nzimande has berated Sector and Education Training Authority (Seta) chairmen for failing to reach out to previously disadvantaged communities.
Addressing 21 Seta chairmen in Midrand yesterday, Nzimande reminded them they would be appraised based on, among other things, opening Seta centres in townships and rural areas.
"I expect that as part of our service-level agreement, Setas will have to start opening offices in townships and rural areas...
"Ideally, every Further Education and Training college must have a Seta office. I want to see a Seta office in Lusikisiki and Emampondweni.
"Part of the negative perceptions about the Setas also has a lot to do about their inaccessibility to ordinary South Africans. Setas' location of their head offices in suburbs does contribute to the legitimate perception that such location only serves to privilege service providers over beneficiaries."
Nzimande raised concern that some Setas have been more geared towards accreditation and compliance but with inadequate attention being paid to quality, relevance and a deeper understanding of economic sectors. He said his department would appoint a team that would investigate how Setas have spent their monies over the past decade. "This is important to tell us how we can improve the functionality and effectiveness of our Seta systems," he added.
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