Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has been “summoned to Parliament to account for the funding crisis at universities” in a week’s time.
The Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday that the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education had agreed to its request to have Nzimande appear before it and set October 28 as the date.
“It is clear that there is not enough money allocated to both students – through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme — and to universities in the form of government subsidies‚” the DA said in a statement.
“This is at the heart of the protests across South African universities today.
“The blame must be placed firmly at the door of the African National Congress government and minister Nzimande for this failure to prioritise funding for young South Africans.”
The statement mentioned that it had also requested the Treasury to be summoned to Parliament‚ but did not indicate whether this was acceded to.
The statement came as universities across the country closed on Wednesday following a call from the South African Students Congress for a “national shutdown” of tertiary institutions to protest high tuition and other fees.
Blade summoned to Parliament over fee protests
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has been “summoned to Parliament to account for the funding crisis at universities” in a week’s time.
The Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday that the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education had agreed to its request to have Nzimande appear before it and set October 28 as the date.
“It is clear that there is not enough money allocated to both students – through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme — and to universities in the form of government subsidies‚” the DA said in a statement.
“This is at the heart of the protests across South African universities today.
“The blame must be placed firmly at the door of the African National Congress government and minister Nzimande for this failure to prioritise funding for young South Africans.”
The statement mentioned that it had also requested the Treasury to be summoned to Parliament‚ but did not indicate whether this was acceded to.
The statement came as universities across the country closed on Wednesday following a call from the South African Students Congress for a “national shutdown” of tertiary institutions to protest high tuition and other fees.
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