Among some of the major announcements were that National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) students would receive 10GB free data from June through to August; all students and staff members returning to campuses will be screened upon entry; and one third of students will be allowed back on campuses and in residences under Level 3 of the lockdown.
The students who will be allowed back under Level 3 should be in their final year and must require access to laboratories, technical equipment, data, connectivity and access to residence as well as private accommodation.
First-year students in all undergraduate programmes will be allowed back as well as students in all years of study who require laboratory and technical equipment to complete the academic year.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students will return by specific dates, but if their campuses are in areas that are still on Level 4 during that time - they will remain closed.
Nzimande added the government was not in a position to subsidise data to students who fall within the so-called "missing middle" category - those who did not qualify for NSFAS bursaries, but came from households who might have been hit hard by the pandemic.
