Minister of Higher Education and Training's Budget Faces Backlash

Strategic Insights -

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, presented her budget proposal for 2025/26, which aimed to improve the post-school education and training sector. However, the budget met with resistance from opposition parties, who expressed concerns over the lack of trust in Nkabane and her department due to controversies surrounding appointments in the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) and issues with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Key Takeaways:

  • The budget allocation for the current financial year is R142.4-billion, with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges receiving R14-billion and the National Skills Fund receiving R26-billion.
  • Universities will receive R96-billion this year, with a R1.4-billion deficit resulting from US funding cuts.
  • NSFAS funding rises to R48.7-billion, but Nkabane acknowledged that it will not be sufficient to meet the growing demand for access to higher education.
  • The NSFAS budget includes a comprehensive legal review of student accommodation intermediaries, with a focus on rooting out corruption and maladministration.
  • The Democratic Alliance rejected the budget, citing concerns over corruption and a lack of trust in Nkabane and her department.
  • Sihle Lonzi from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also rejected the budget, calling for the development of an efficient payment system to pay students, institutions, and accommodations directly.
  • Other parties, including Al Jama-ah, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Patriotic Alliance, Build One South Africa, and Rise Mzansi, supported the budget.

Statistics:

  • R142.4-billion: the budget allocation for the current financial year
  • R14-billion: the budget allocated to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges
  • R22-billion: the combined allocation for the Setas and the National Skills Fund
  • R96-billion: the budget allocated to universities
  • R48.7-billion: the funding for NSFAS
  • R2-million: the rental contract for NSFAS' Cape Town office, which is being cancelled
  • R1.4-billion: the deficit in the universities' budget due to US funding cuts

Sources:

  • "Minister of Higher Education and Training’s Budget Faces Backlash" (article)
  • Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training's July 2024 leadership
  • Democratic Alliance's Karabo Khakhau's statement
  • Economic Freedom Fighters' Sihle Lonzi's statement
  • Inkatha Freedom Party's support for the budget
  • Al Jama-ah's support for the budget
  • Patriotic Alliance's support for the budget
  • Build One South Africa's support for the budget
  • Rise Mzansi's support for the budget