Delays by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) in awarding bursaries have disrupted students’ studies and put their chances of completing their qualifications at risk, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has warned.

The committee raised the concerns when CETA and the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) presented their 2025/26 annual reports and updated members on efforts to restore stability after both entities were placed under administration.

The committee said CETA appeared not to fully appreciate the consequences of failing to award bursaries to new and continuing students within the relevant academic year.

It said continuing students were particularly affected because a lack of financial support could interrupt their studies, jeopardise their academic progress and threaten their chances of completing their qualifications.

Prospective students were also disadvantaged.

Although CETA indicated that the delays had been addressed in the subsequent financial year, the committee rejected the explanation, saying late funding could not reverse the damage caused.

Members said delayed funding could not compensate for lost academic time, interrupted studies, forgone educational opportunities and the financial hardship experienced by affected students.

The committee also raised concerns about CETA’s financial management, including reported overspending of approximately R914 million against expenditure of R1.25 billion.

CETA received a qualified audit opinion, while the committee noted approximately R956 million in irregular expenditure accumulated from previous years and R44 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

It also highlighted a material irregularity involving the purchase of a biometric attendance and stipend-payment system for approximately R13.26 million that was never fully operationalised.

Source: https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-10-16-parliament-slams-ceta-bursary-delays-and-r914-million-overspend/