Nzimande denies withholding free education report
Higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande on Wednesday denied that he had withheld a report on free education, one reportedly given to him in 2012.
“It is untrue that I have been sitting on this report,” said Nzimande. “That is why those journalists who tried to publish the report could only write two paragraphs.”
The minister, who was in parliament presenting the funding implications of a zero-increment in university fees in 2016 to Parliament’s standing and select committees on appropriations as well as the portfolio committee on higher education, responded to media reports that he had failed to act on a 2012 document that found it was possible to provide free university tuition to the poor.
“When that report was released, it was presented to all stakeholders,” said Nzimande.
This was, however, later disputed by the Democratic Alliance’s Yusuf Cassim, who said it had never been presented to parliament.
Of findings in the report, Nzimande and his ministry said providing free education for the poor – not for all – had always been the aim of the African National Congress-led government.
Nzimande said that the recommendations made in the report, as well as guidance from the Constitution and the Freedom Charter, provided the department and ministry with a “bible” on funding free education.
Nzimande said that free education for all was unsustainable. He insisted that providing free basic education and higher education to the poor had always been the objective of the ANC-led government.
He said the government would consider providing free education to the children of civil servants and children from lower-middle income households. - ANA
(File photo: Gallo Images)