As part of raising awareness on financial assistance and bursaries that are available for post-school studies from the Northern Cape Provincial Government, officials will be visiting Spring Schools to do presentations and interact with grade 12 learners on opportunities available to them. The aim of this campaign is to encourage further studies amongst the youth as well as assist them with information on how to apply to tertiary institutions.

Through this initiative Government also wants to address the shortage of skills that exist and give support to learners to take up study in these areas and to plough back their skills that are critically sort after. This initiative also opens up avenues for students to study knowing that they will be able to take up employ in the Provincial Government on completion of their studies.

The Provincial Government sees as very critical the need to assist students who sometimes cannot further or complete their studies due to a lack of finances. This is also in line with ensuring that we build a suitably qualified and skilled youth.

As part of the initial phase officials will be visiting Spring Schools across the Province from the 3-7 October 2011 to make available study assistance information and application forms to learners. Officials will also provide learners with information as well as make them aware of the various study opportunities that can be funded by Provincial Government through either a bursary loan or a fully fledged loan. Officials from the National Student Financial Assistance body will also be conducting information sessions during this campaign.

Currently there are departments that offer external bursaries or loans. External bursaries or loans are for learners currently completing their senior certificates and or those who have grade 12 and those who are already registered for studies. Applicants must be residence of the Northern Cape and must be unemployed. Applicants must be willing to sign the contract or study loan agreement.

Bursary and loan forms will also be made available at all High Schools and local municipalities.

Released by the Communications Directorate, Office of the Premier NC

Spokesperson: Monwabisi Nkompela 071 109 2776