National Consultation on the GATE Programme

1. National Consultation on the GATE Programme Hosted by Standing Committee on the GATE Programme November 22nd, 23rd and 25th, 2011 Report: Policies, Administration and Performance of the GATE Programme: 2004-2011 Chairman's Summary

2. Purpose of National Consultation on GATE • Obtain feedback from various stakeholders on the policies, administration and performance of the GATE Programme; • Obtain perspectives, ideas and strategies from stakeholders on the most appropriate way forward to securing and expanding the GATE Programme; and • Provide the basis for an Action Plan that seeks to secure and expand the policy and institutional framework of the GATE Programme.

3. Summary of Report on Policies, Administration and Performance of the GATE Programme: 2004-2011 • Discusses the policy context of the GATE Programme from Dollar for Dollar (DfD) to the Standing Committee on the GATE Programme; • Reviews the performance of the GATE Programme (2004-2011); • Highlights major issues associated with the GATE Programme; and • Outlines key issues for discussion during the National Consultation.

4. Policy Context of GATE

5. Number of Approved Institutions • Falling # public institutions; rising # private institutions

6. Accountability of Private Institutions • As at October 2011, forty- one (41) approved private tertiary institutions were audited. • Funds recovered due to non-conformity: $16.8 million, urgent need for the private tertiary institutions to strengthen record keeping and reporting obligations. • Reconciliation funds reimbursed by approved private tertiary institutions : $38.8 million.

7. Expenditure Under GATE

8. Expenditure Under GATE • Jumped more than 6 fold from $102 million in 2004/2005 to $625 million in 2010/2011. • Total expenditure: $3 billion (2004-2011) • Average distribution of GATE funding - 58% to public institutions - 42% to private institutions

9. Students Benefiting from GATE

10. Student Performance and GATE Clearance (2008-2011)

11. Issues Concerning the GATE Programme • Determination and Adjustment of Tuition Fees - Audited Financial Statements for previous 3 yrs; latest management accounts; and segment financial reporting in relation to GATE • Student Performance Standards - GATE Clearance Policy (private institutions) • minimum Grade Point Averages (public institutions) • Introduction of New Programmes (including TVET) - Alignment to economic priority areas - Labour market studies - Availability of financial resources • Grandfathering of Programmes • Need for a Sunset Clause • Strengthening Administrative Capacity of FGAD -No mechanism to monitor national service - IT/Auditing

12. Some Key Issues for Discussion • Should GATE funding be limited only to programmes that are of national economic priority? • What are some of the current and projected skills gaps in the labour market? • How should tuition fees be defined, what costs (direct & indirect) should determine the level of tuition fees, and should GATE fund a percent/quantum of these fees? • What are some of the major challenges of the GATE Programme? • What are some policy prescriptions for securing the GATE Programme? • What are some policy prescriptions for expanding the GATE Programme?

13. Next Steps • Public feedback through this National Consultation will help inform further the deliberations of the Standing Committee. • Subsequent to this Consultation, the Standing Committee will produce an Action Plan for Securing and Expanding the GATE Programme, which will be presented to the Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education for consideration and guidance.

14. THANK YOU