The Deputy President answered questions from MPs in the National Assembly on Thursday, where he stressed that finding a workable solution to high tertiary fees remains a priority for this administration.
“The young people are our future and we have to find solutions and secure that future.
“The developments of the past weeks provide an opportunity to find sustainable solutions for higher education,” he said.
Students around the country took part in protests against high tuition fees, the above 10% fee increase for 2016 and the minimum initial payment system.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said government has heard the cries of the students, hence President Jacob Zuma announced on 23 October that fees will not be increased in 2016.
Various proposals are on the table to fund the shortfall following the decision not to increase fees for 2016, said the Deputy President.
Government has set up a Presidential Task Team to consider the short-term implications for the 2016 academic year and the current National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding shortfall.
The medium- to long-term funding of the system also needs to be addressed, said Deputy President Ramaphosa.
However, he said this cannot be confined to university education but it must cover the whole post-school education and training sector, including technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and community education and training colleges.
“Government will have to consider all the facts and consider how to reprioritise funding to ensure stability and growth of the system. It will also need to consider ways in which affordable higher education for all, including free education for the poor, can be made available.”
The decision by President Zuma to establish a commission of inquiry to look at issues that have been raised by students has been welcomed by Cabinet. The President will announce the commission, together with its terms of reference, in due course.
Turning to the actual protests, Deputy President Ramaphosa said the protests were largely peaceful and students excised great leadership.
“… We all can agree that [it] could have been much worse. But the students need to be commended for this. They raised their issues sharply.” – SAnews.gov.za
