By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has reached a mutual agreement with the Coastal TVET College Administrator Ndoda Biyela to move forward with a plan to appoint a permanent principal.
The college was placed under administration in 2020 after facing a string of corruption allegations and a damning report by the auditor general.
Nzimande appointed Biyela as an administrator at Coastal TVET College on 1 December 2020 to execute both the functions of governance and management.
The issues of concern included alleged maladministration, looting and financial maladministration; unfilled posts, poor audit outcomes, ineffective internal controls and low academic throughput rates.
“The Minister has noted several concerns that have been raised by stakeholders on the state of functionality of the college. All these matters will be addressed as we move the college towards the appointment of permanent senior management.”
Nzimande thanked all stakeholders including staff members, labour unions and students for working with the administrator in ensuring the academic project is not compromised.
” Nzimande wishes to thank the administrator for his willingness to serve the college and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”
The minister also said that the department is in the process of establishing new colleges or college campuses – similar to that set out for universities.
Meanwhile a feasibility study is underway to make way for the new University of Science and Innovation in Ekurhuleni as well as a new crime Detection University in Hammanskraal.
Nzimande said “the process of developing a new university is preceded by a feasibility study to ascertain the demand for new institutions in identified areas or areas of interest.
“A feasibility study, funded through the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG) to the value of R6 million, is underway to advise on the size and shape of these two institutions, “he said.