Parliament’s Select Committee on Education and Recreation has welcomed the announcement by the Presidency of government’s response to the Heher Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education.
In a statement Saturday, Committee chairperson, Lungelwa Zwane, said: “the far-reaching response by government is a step in the right direction in responding to the pleas of students within the higher education sector.”
“The Committee has always held the view that academic exclusion of the poor purely on the basis of affordability undercut South Africa’s democratic dispensation. This response is a step in the right direction to remedying the high levels of inequality in the country,” Zwane said.
“The continued focus on TVET colleges is also welcomed in the context of the skills shortages within sectors necessary to drive economic growth. The commitment to upskilling lecturers within the sector is also a welcomed announcement as it was one of the issues raised by students during various interactions with the Committee.”
“While the Committee welcomes the announcement it will engage the Department of Higher Education and Training on the mechanics, implementation plan, and funding model to support the rollout, Zwane added.
“This engagement will happen when Parliament resumes in early 2018,” she concluded.
