{
  "id": 12138922,
  "title": "Deputy Minister Cassim calls for urgent action on student issues",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/deputy-minister-cassim-calls-for-urgent-action-on-student-issues",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T10:52:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/deputy-minister-cassim-calls-for-urgent-action-on-student-issues/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim, is urging immediate action on critical student issues, including accommodation, campus safety, and NSFAS funding problems. The government is intensifying its efforts to address persistent challenges that impact students, with Cassim planning to meet with students and university management at the University of Fort Hare. The funding issue has affected students at Fort Hare and numerous other institutions, leading to concerns over suspended funding and administrative delays. Cassim has been utilizing the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk to amplify student complaints and push for solutions to NSFAS allowances and other funding problems. He emphasizes the complexity of student accommodation, particularly private accredited accommodations, and stresses the importance of visiting institutions like the University of Fort Hare to assess conditions firsthand. Cassim also highlights numerous issues raised through his help desk, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring no student is left behind. He notes that some students have been defunded from NSFAS and have not received allowances for various bursaries, and the approach is to collaborate with sector partners, including institutions, NSFAS, and SETAs, to resolve issues that could prevent academic success. Deputy Minister Cassim is currently on an official oversight visit to the University of Fort Hare's East London Campus.",
  "summary": "The funding issue has affected students at Fort Hare and several other institutions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}