0% fee increase could lead to retrenchments at varsities – Nzimande
15 August 2016
Johannesburg - Universities have raised concern over possible retrenchments should there be no fee increase for 2017, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said on Monday.
"The universities have the issue of [dealing with] the implications of whatever action we take in relation to this matter. That was why we were in discussion and sharing the report. The report itself does point out that what would be the consequences of the fee increase across the board. We are looking at all these things," he said.
Nzimande was referring to a report he received on Thursday from the Council on Higher Education on recommendations for 2017 fee adjustments. He decided that further consultation was required.
Nzimande said on Monday that the ministry's conundrum was that it had to take into account "the feeling of students, but at the same time, we must also look at the viability of our institutions".