The university careers of a group of Alphendale Senior Secondary School matriculants hangs in the balance after officials bungled their bursary applications.
Officials at the East London Rubusana district office are accused of botching the awarding of Funza Lushaka bursaries to matriculants who wanted to study to become teachers. Now there may no longer be space at universities.
The education department allegedly requested the matriculants to submit their application forms directly to Rubusana district offices. Other matriculants, who had already applied, were allegedly told to submit their proof of provisional admission to universities.
But they said they had not received proof from the department that they have been accepted as Funza beneficiaries.
Five matriculants who spoke to the Daily Dispatch yesterday said they were devastated.
They had hoped to study education at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), the University of Western Cape (UWC) and the University of the Free State.
The pupils blamed an official in the district who administers bursaries for failing them.
The official said the matter was between his employer and the school and declined to comment.
Eastern Cape education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said officials at the district office denied that pupils submitted application forms to Rubusana.
Mtima said the Funza bursary scheme worked with universities to ensure that the beneficiaries were admitted to study education before funds were paid out.
Mtima said he received a report from district officials that only two Alphendale matriculants had contacted the district for assistance, one hoping to study at UFH and the other at UFS. He said there was no longer space for one of the pupils at UFH and UFS was waiting for “an outstanding document from one of the pupils”.
He said officials did not mention there were others who had applied through Rubusana.
“Beneficiaries do not apply for university admission through the district office. Maybe there was a confusion,” Mtima said.
Whitney Troepe said she submitted her application along with four other pupils to the official, but had got no information.
“When I went to check my status at UFH I was told my name was not in the system.”
Malik Simons said he had applied at UFS and UFH. “I’m still waiting for proof I got the bursary. This is really frustrating. I had my hopes on something and now it’s gone. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Nasiphi Mayisela was bitterly unhappy.
“He changed where I wanted to submit my application and told me that I will study at the UFH, but when I went there I was told my name was not in the system.”
Mbasa Gusha said she wanted to apply to NMMU but she was later informed she would study at UFH, but her name was also not in the system at UFH.
Ayabonga Gezani said she submitted proof she had been provisionally accepted at UWC, but had not received any feedback.
“It’s already late now and I think I lost that space. I’m thinking of other options,” she said. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Bursary bungle wrecks students’ dreams
Officials at the East London Rubusana district office are accused of botching the awarding of Funza Lushaka bursaries to matriculants who wanted to study to become teachers. Now there may no longer be space at universities.
The education department allegedly requested the matriculants to submit their application forms directly to Rubusana district offices. Other matriculants, who had already applied, were allegedly told to submit their proof of provisional admission to universities.
But they said they had not received proof from the department that they have been accepted as Funza beneficiaries.
Five matriculants who spoke to the Daily Dispatch yesterday said they were devastated.
They had hoped to study education at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), the University of Western Cape (UWC) and the University of the Free State.
The pupils blamed an official in the district who administers bursaries for failing them.
The official said the matter was between his employer and the school and declined to comment.
Eastern Cape education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said officials at the district office denied that pupils submitted application forms to Rubusana.
Mtima said the Funza bursary scheme worked with universities to ensure that the beneficiaries were admitted to study education before funds were paid out.
Mtima said he received a report from district officials that only two Alphendale matriculants had contacted the district for assistance, one hoping to study at UFH and the other at UFS. He said there was no longer space for one of the pupils at UFH and UFS was waiting for “an outstanding document from one of the pupils”.
He said officials did not mention there were others who had applied through Rubusana.
“Beneficiaries do not apply for university admission through the district office. Maybe there was a confusion,” Mtima said.
Whitney Troepe said she submitted her application along with four other pupils to the official, but had got no information.
“When I went to check my status at UFH I was told my name was not in the system.”
Malik Simons said he had applied at UFS and UFH. “I’m still waiting for proof I got the bursary. This is really frustrating. I had my hopes on something and now it’s gone. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Nasiphi Mayisela was bitterly unhappy.
“He changed where I wanted to submit my application and told me that I will study at the UFH, but when I went there I was told my name was not in the system.”
Mbasa Gusha said she wanted to apply to NMMU but she was later informed she would study at UFH, but her name was also not in the system at UFH.
Ayabonga Gezani said she submitted proof she had been provisionally accepted at UWC, but had not received any feedback.
“It’s already late now and I think I lost that space. I’m thinking of other options,” she said. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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