CETA Bursary Delays Hurt Students
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training warned that delays by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) in awarding bursaries are putting students’ studies at risk.
When bursaries arrive late, students may have to pause their courses, miss classes, or even drop out. Continuing students feel the impact most because they rely on steady funding to stay on track.
Why Timely Funding Matters
- Lost academic time cannot be recovered.
- Interrupted studies weaken confidence and motivation.
- Students may lose chances to finish qualifications on schedule.
- Financial stress adds pressure on top of school work.
CETA said the problem was fixed in the next financial year, but the committee argued that late money does not undo the damage already done.
CETA’s Financial Management Raises Questions
The committee also pointed out serious money‑management issues:
- CETA spent about R914 million more than its budget of R1.25 billion.
- It received a qualified audit opinion, meaning auditors found significant problems.
- Approximately R956 million of irregular spending piled up from previous years.
- R44 million was classified as fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
- A biometric attendance and stipend‑payment system costing R13.26 million was never fully used.
These figures suggest that CETA is not controlling its finances well, which makes it harder to deliver bursaries on time.
Accountability and Administration
In August 2025 the Department of Higher Education and Training placed CETA and the Services SETA under administration because of governance and operational problems. Both bodies are expected to stay under administration until 31 January 2027.
The committee noted a pattern: many sector entities ignore audit action plans from the Auditor‑General of South Africa. It urged the department to make sure reporting entities follow those plans.
Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie said CETA’s lack of consequence management is worrying. He stressed that annual reports are a key way to see whether public institutions are doing their jobs.
SETAs’ Role in Fighting Unemployment
Letsie reminded everyone that SETAs should turn skills‑development levies paid by employers into real training opportunities.
“South Africa faces a serious unemployment crisis. Millions of people are not in employment, education, or training. SETAs must be among the state’s main tools for building skills and reducing joblessness,” he said.
He added that the committee looks beyond simple compliance; it wants SETAs to make a tangible difference in young people’s lives.
Conclusion
Delays in CETA bursaries are more than just paperwork problems—they directly affect students’ ability to learn, stay enrolled, and graduate. Poor financial management and weak accountability make the situation worse. For CETA and the Services SETA to fulfill their purpose, they must:
- Award bursaries on time, every academic year.
- Improve budgeting and eliminate irregular spending.
- Follow audit recommendations and act quickly on wrongdoing.
- Focus on turning levy money into real skills training that helps curb unemployment.
Only by taking these steps can the authorities protect students’ futures and contribute to solving South Africa’s job‑creation challenge.
