Higher Education proposes 4.23% fee increase

THE Department of Higher Education and Training has proposed an increase of 4.23% for tuition fees for the 2022 academic year and a maximum of 6.23% for accommodation at all 26 universities.

Higher Education, Science, and Innovation minister, Blade Nzimande, said the fee increases are agreed upon in the sector as part of a social compact that has been in place since 2016, the only year when fees were not increased.

Nzimande said the department recognises that the long-term stability and sustainability of the sector relies, to a significant degree, on tuition and residence fee income.

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The department is working on a fee regulatory policy framework.

“Fee increases are necessitated by obvious factors, including the increase in workers’ wages and staff salaries; increase in electricity and water tariffs; rising food prices; books and learning materials, and generally the rise in inflation.”

Nzimande added however that student debt has grown.

According to the minister, unaudited data show that an estimated R6.1 billion was owed by students at the start of the 2021 academic year.

“A survey conducted by the department in 2021 showed that an estimated 56.2% of students with debt owe less than R10 000; 32.9% owe between R10 000 and R50 000, and 10.9% owe more than R50 000. The survey also showed that National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) students owe R5.3 billion,” he said. 

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