MARK VAN ROOYEN: “Private funding that goes towards improving educational institutions will be a thing of the past, meaning that these places will stop being developed. That already tells me that this free education plan is not going to work.”
THE RECORD went about town to ask community members their opinion on the government’s apparent plans to implement free tertiary education. Here is what they had to say.
NICOLENE PETERSEN: “I think it is a very bad idea. You cannot put a price on proper education. Learners are barely finishing school as it is, so I don’t really see how anyone will significantly benefit from this.”SURENCIA FRENCH: “I don’t think that it will work. I pay tax, but can I be sure that my child will qualify for free education? How will it be determined who qualifies for it and who doesn’t?”MAXIE LUBBE: “My personal opinion is that it’s not going to work. I think as education becomes free, the quality of learning will fall dramatically. I don’t think effort will be put in anymore.”JOHAN GROVÉ: “The quality of education will decline if it’s free. The teachers with great skills, knowledge and passion for teaching will go lost if they don’t get paid properly.”
