Announcement on 2017 varsity fees expected mid-Sept

HIGHER Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande says he is hopeful that the current consultations with all stakeholders on the 2017 university fees will conclude successfully, with a formal announcement expected to be made in mid-September.

The Minister said since he received advice from the Council on Higher Education (CHE) earlier this month on university fee adjustments for next year, he has been in consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including university vice-chancellors and council chairs, student leaders and youth organisations, organised labour, faith communities and government officials.

“The purpose of these consultations has been to tap into the collective wisdom of higher education stakeholders in order to find solutions to what is recognised as a societal problem.

“While considering the CHE’s advice, we want to ensure that academically capable young people are not denied access to higher education because they come from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, while at the same time ensuring that universities are sustained and strengthened,” Minister Nzimande said.

Government has over the past two decades invested significant resources to assist students who come from poor families through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).