The Heher Commission’s probe into free higher education has reportedly recommended a “multi-pronged and multi-layered” approach to address the issue of higher education fees.
The Commission was established under retired judge Jonathan Heher, following the country-wide Fees Must Fall protests. Students have been calling for the release of his report.
According to the City Press on Sunday, “universal free tertiary education will not be feasible in the foreseeable future.”
The newspaper, which said it has a copy of the Heher Commission report in its possession, said that the report proposed that different funding models be adopted to ensure access for all deserving students.
The newspaper said the “long-awaited 748-page report” by the retired judge “has instead suggested a mult-ipronged and multilayered approach which will take into account South Africa’s struggling economy and competing demands on the fiscus.”
One of the reported recommendations of the Heher Commission report is that government commits 1% of GDP to subsidizing universities, with students paying fees according to a “fair and affordable
The Commission also reportedly proposed an “income-contingent loan” system, in terms of which students would repay their debt based on their post-qualification salaries.
This would, in effect, replace the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), said City Press, quoting from the Heher report.
In a statement on Saturday, the Presidency said that President Jacob Zuma received the Heher Report on 30 August.
“The Presidency has been working on the report since the date the President received it. The Presidency is now finalising the processing of the report which requires, among other things, that the Presidency consult with the relevant Ministers to ensure that government is ready to implement the President’s decision as as soon he releases the report.”
“The consultations with relevant Ministries is at an advanced stage and it is expected that it will be finalized during the course of next week,” said Presidential spokesperson, Dr Bongani Ngqulunga.
“The President will release the report immediately thereafter,” he said.
