Blade Nzimande is hiding again‚ claims DA

Blade Nzimande is hiding again‚ claims DA

Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande’s cancellation of his briefing – scheduled for Thursday — on where the extra R2.7 billion needed to address the higher education funding would be sourced‚ is a “demonstration of sheer disinterest and skewed priorities”‚ the Democratic Alliance charges.

“The Minister has again not delivered on a commitment to South African students.

This will create more uncertainty and increase frustration across South Africa. Students have every reason to be upset‚” DA spokesperson on higher education and training Professor Belinda Bozzoli said in a statement.

She urged the minister to re-schedule his briefing and to explain to South Africa – as a matter of urgency – what his plan was to address the funding shortfall at universities.

The 0% fee increase‚ which was agreed to last week‚ must be funded within the current budget‚ Bozzoli said. If this did not happen‚ universities would be forced to make cuts‚ that would result in job losses‚ undermine the quality of the education‚ and prevent innovative research which the economy so desperately needed‚ she added.

“This is no joking matter. It requires bold leadership‚ and a commitment to re-prioritise the money now‚ rather than later. That is why the DA has made clear proposals to the Appropriations Committee on money that could be used – within the existing budget. This includes the re-allocating the R2 billion profit made from the sale of Vodacom shares to higher education immediately.

“The Minister‚ on the other hand‚ seems determined to continue with his ‘crisis‚ what crisis approach’. To date‚ he has:

- Sat on three different reports warning of the funding crisis‚ without taking the necessary steps to deal with the problem;

- Brought no ‘intervention plan’ to the Portfolio Committee‚ despite being summoned to Parliament to do so;

- Irresponsibly implied that his Department would try and raid the Basic Education Budget‚ which would only create a new education crisis in South Africa; and

- Blamed everyone but his own government for the chronic underfunding of higher education‚ including launching an attack on the institutional autonomy of Universities.

“Nzimande remains a man without a plan on higher education. This needs to change‚ and soon‚ if young South Africans are to be equipped to pursue a better future‚” Bozzoli stated.