MINISTER of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande has condemned the destruction of university property, which has run into millions of rands. Nzimande said government would have to pay for the destruction of property at universities, which means funds that could help the poor and the working would have to be diverted to rebuild the infrastructure.
“We are now over R600 million [in] destruction… We are chasing R1 billion in property that has been destroyed over the last year and that we cannot afford (sic),” Minister Nzimande said.
Recently the Minister announced that universities will individually decide on the fee increases for the 2017 academic year.
This followed the Council on Higher Education (CHE) report for 2017 fee adjustments, as well as the Minister’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders. The recommendation, however, is that fee adjustments should not go above eight per cent.
The increase will not apply to the children of all poor, working and middle class families with a household income of up to R600 000 per annum.
Despite the announcement, students have continued with their call for free education at institutions of higher learning.
He said the meeting with the board urged university management and student leaders to approach the fees discussion with an open mind.
“Convocations and alumni associations must encourage past National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) recipients to make payments on their loans so as to contribute towards funding of needy and deserving students. The private sector must also play a more meaningful role in higher education such as building infrastructure and providing funding to cover the shortfall,” Nzimande said.
