Nzimande warns about colapse of public higher education system

HIGHER Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has warned of the complete demise of public higher education system if student protests continue.

Nzimande said if the situation gets to that, it will be the poor students who will suffer the most.

Minister Nzimande was speaking after visiting the uMgungundlovu Tvet College’s Midlands Campus as part of his oversight mandate on higher education institutions.

He said rich parents had already started sending their children to overseas institutions and local private tertiary institutions.

He said if the country’s public system is destroyed, private universities are going to come in and that poor students are not going to afford these.

He said there would also be more fly-by-night institutions providing poor education.

Nzimande said the department was engaging vice-chancellors, students, workers and communities, around the issue of the necessity to protect the country’s institutions.

He said he had seen damage to university property worth close to R1 billion, resulting in money that could have been used to fund poor students being used to repair damage done by students.

Nzimande said he had got the chance to meet with management, council and student leaders at the Midlands Campus where issues affecting the college were raised.

One of the issues addressed was that of the results and certificates not coming out on time.

Nzimande said government was attending the matter and would make sure the results are released on time.

SRC president Noluthando Hlubi described the meeting as progressive.