Preamble

We, the members of SATVETSA and Student Representatives Councils (SRCs) from the Technical Vocational Education and Training sector, guided by the Continued Education and Training Act no 16 of 2006 as amended are committed to participating in building a unified, democratic and well governed education system that is responsive to the needs of South Africans. We strive to encourage academic excellence and promote equality of opportunity through effective, accountable and transparent student governance.

We are committed to build unity amongst our students, management and other stakeholders involved within colleges for the benefit of all students as we to inculcate the culture of learning and academic excellence; while we give an accurate student perspective on matters affecting the running and functioning of colleges.

General objectives of the associations

• To promote the development of student activities and structures that improve the learning and success in student development; 
• Initiate, promote and maintain cooperation and interactions with other organisations at national and international level;
• Promote an environment that is conducive to educational, physical, spiritual, social and political development of students throughout their educational career in partnership with all the sections of the sector;
• To work for a non-racial, non-sexist, non-violent, impartial, just and democratic South Africa in the TVET sector; 
• and To participate in international study tours of similar vocational training colleges and activities and to foster international relationships in related sectors.

In relation to Work in Community Colleges, the Association seeks:

• To promote a positive image and improve the relationship between SATVETSA members and the wider community in the TVET sector in order to enjoy the confidence and co-operation of the communities the colleges exist within;
• To reflect and guide the needs and views of students within the colleges’ governance systems; and
• To promote student awareness of issues and policies pertinent to the vocational education sector.

In relation to Service to Affiliated Members, the Association seeks:

• To represent the interests of the students in all representations and interactions with the Department of Higher Education and Training as well as other organisations and entities;
• To promote student awareness of issues and policies pertinent to the vocational education sector;
• To consider and act on matters of concern brought to its attention by the student bodies from all fifty (50) TVET colleges;
• To build and enhance the capacity of affiliated members through interactive workshops and forums;
• To contribute to the development of student life within the higher education and vocational education and training sector through a variety of services;
• To facilitate or encourage the settlement of disputes arising from SRCs, student bodies and management of TVET colleges;
• To provide and to promote training, seminars and other educational interventions for affiliated members in order to encourage self-improvement and self￾preparation;
• To be the umbrella organisation for all student committees, clubs, councils and societies in the TVET sector; and
• To be the Association responsible for liaising with other national and international student organisations, unions, government and other stakeholders participating in the TVET sector.

In relation to Democracy within SATVETSA, the Association aims:

• To promote fair representation in all the Association’s structures for women and people with disabilities;
• To endeavour to have a 50/50% representation at all times;
• To pledge solidarity with and support for students whose rights and interest may be violated and/or threatened;
• To seek to ensure equality of treatment and fair representation for all members and to work for the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability, age, religion and any other form of unfair discrimination;
• To promote and safeguard the rights of affiliated members to have an adequate opportunity to participate in the initiation and development of policy, through meetings, conferences or delegations and to encourage maximum democratic debate, together with the right to campaign to change policy, while at all times acting within the rules and agreed polices of the Association; and
• To promote the spirit of accountability within the Association.