ANC welcomes no fee increase for poor students

20 September 2016

The African National Congress notes and supports the announcement made by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Comrade Blade Nzimande, that all students from poor, working class and middle class families – with a household income of less than R600 000 per annum – will not experience any increase in universities fees in the 2017 academic year and that government would pay for the fee adjustment.

The decision represents a significant step forward towards the progressive realization of free education for the poor in line with ANC policy positions and the Freedom Charter call that “Higher education and technical training shall be opened to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit”.

Much has been done by the ANC-led government to ensure that no child from poor and working class backgrounds are denied access to education in South Africa. This has included interventions such as no-fee schools at basic education level and the allocation of more than R9 billion per annum to the NFSAS to provide a sustainable financial aid system for poor and academically eligible students as part of the ANC’s agenda for redress and transformation - one of the greatest achievements of our democratic government post-1994.

The ANC commends the Minister of Higher Education and Training for embarking on the elaborate consultative process on this matter. We further expresses its appreciation to all stakeholders who participated in the said consultation process and the contribution that this made towards solutions that are being advanced.

The African National Congress calls upon all stakeholders to support recommendations tabled by the Minister. We urge students and university management  to desist from engaging in any negative and unlawful activities within our institutions during this period.  Government and universities will continue to seek a lasting solution through the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training with its stated intention to “achieve a far-reaching reconstitution of the entire post-school education and training funding system”. As this work continues, the private sector cannot and should not be absolved from playing their role in developing the skills and competencies desperately needed by our economy.

Issued by Zizi Kodwa, National Spokesperson, ANC, 20 September 2016