Higher Education funding crisis will hurt poor students and kill opportunities

31 August 2016

Next week, 6 September 2016, the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) will make its submission to the Higher Education Fees Commission. DASO believes, and will argue before the commission, that with the right funding priorities poor students can receive the support they need to thrive at university. 

Indeed, as was set out in the DA submission to the commission, our position is that chronic underfunding of both students and universities has a detrimental impact on poor students in particular. It is those who are most in need who will be left behind. 

This cannot be allowed to happen. The DA strongly believes that no person should be denied an education simply because they are poor.  By cutting corruption and reprioritising the existing budget, free higher education for the poor with support for the missing middle can be made a reality. 

That is why the DA has proposed fresh solutions to the funding crisis. At the heart of this solution is that poor students should not bear the burden. 

To this end, the DA has proposed:

- The poorest students need the most comprehensive financial support possible – no student should be denied an education because they are poor;

- The “missing middle” students should also receive financial support, proportional to their financial standing, with those most in need receiving the most support;

- Better-off students should not receive financial support for fees, as they are able to pay for their studies themselves.

To make this happen, university subsidies from government have to be increased. The DA’s position is that this must move towards the level of 50% of costs so both quality education and support to poor students and the “missing middle” can be provided for. 

With 16 of our universities under financial distress, with the risk of bankruptcy possible, Jacob Zuma's government must step up and make the money available.

An 8% increase in funding is without doubt needed in order to keep universities afloat and to ensure more students gain access. The DA strongly believes that this money should come from Zuma’s government – and should not be burdened by poor students. Years of neglect by the ANC got us into this situation – it is time he take responsibility and do what is needed to fix it. With the MTBS looming in October, there is a golden opportunity for Jacob Zuma to walk the talk and make this a reality. 

With billions being set aside for a Presidential Jet for Jacob Zuma alone, there is little doubt that the money exists. It’s time for the ANC to get their priorities right and put the interests of students first, once and for all. This is a fight DASO is ready to have. 

Issued by Yusuf Cassim, DASO Leader, 31 August 2016