Nzimande and ANC’s inaction responsible for funding crisis

Comments made by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, that the private sector should fund the shortfall in tertiary education is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to shift blame away from his and the ANC’s inaction in addressing the crisis that has swept our tertiary institutions and negatively affected our students.

Government’s inaction on this funding crisis is likely to see 8 universities bankrupt. This indicates the depths to which government’s management of our higher learning institutions has sunk.

Minister Nzimande let slip to the Sunday Times yesterday that that eight universities are on the verge of bankruptcy and will require bailouts. He left it at that. 

The simple truth is that there is money that can be used if the ANC and Minister Nzimande got their priorities right. This should have happened several years ago when the Minister was warned of the impending crisis that now threatens to see 8 universities bankrupt. This disastrous inaction will only hurt the students who desperately need education.

The DA demands to know more. The public must be told which the 8 universities are; why they have been reduced to this circumstance; where the bail-out funding will come from and how much it will be; how much has already been spent on bail-outs over the past twenty years; and what the long-term plan is for ensuring that these universities become sustainable entities in future. 

These and many other questions will be put to Minister Nzimande when he appears before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday.

We already are aware that Fort Hare is at risk. This University, the pride of the ANC, came to the Portfolio Committee in 2014 and the DA members present said it was obvious that they could not survive on the income they had, and their NSFAS income could not compensate them adequately for the fall in subsidy over the years. 

Additionally, Minister Nzimande failed to act on reports detailing the funding crisis that contributed a great deal to the student funding protests that ensued last week. There is no denying that the student’s plight was compounded by an arrogant Minister who, throughout his tenure, has been characterised by inaction.

Ignoring these three reports is indicative of Minister Nzimande and the ANC’s culpability in this crisis.

The first report, completed in 2010, recommended a progressive scheme which focusses on poor students and not those who can afford university. This was clearly not given due consideration.

The second such report, tabled in Parliament in 2014, charged with reviewing the funding of universities was almost completely ignored even though it categorically asserted that there are severe funding problems in universities. 

In light of this the DA will interrogate the Minister’s callous inaction on these reports and assess whether any of the recommendations included in these documents may complement the DA’s process of adjusting the budget when the Standing Committee on Appropriations meets tomorrow.

It would also be a wise investment in the future of our country, and would likely repay itself many times over as more qualified young people are more likely to start small businesses, employ others and pay taxes to government once they become economically active. 

The Minister’s inaction on a matter of such importance for our country demonstrates that he is not serious about the office he holds, and to ensuring that poor, qualifying students are provided the support they need to pursue a better future. 

Issued by Prof Belinda Bozzoli, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education, 26 October 2015