JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s free higher education plan will not be implemented immediately, Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize said on Thursday.
She said the new system would be phased in within the next five years.
In 2018, only applicants who have received a firm offer from a university or TVET college will be assessed for funding.
Mkhize made the comments while briefing the media on registrations at institutions of higher learning.
The minister said the plan is not meant to disrupt the autonomy of universities
Mkhize emphasised that the policy, which was announced by President Jacob Zuma on 16 December, was not meant to disrupt normal activities at various universities.
Her comments come on the back of calls by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), South Africa’s third largest party, for deserving students to report for registration at the institution of their choice.
Mkhize on Wednesday lashed out at EFF leader Julius Malema, describing his call as a reckless political statement.
She further described Malema’s call as ‘unrealistic’.
The minister emphasised that prospective students must apply through the central applications process and not by walk-ins, which were stopped following a deadly stampede that killed a parent at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
The announcement by president Zuma Falls within what one will coin as radical transformation of the post education and training sector .University education in SA has been a privilege of the few .while all conditions apply thevictory for students is the possibility
— Hlengiwe Mkhize (@ProfMkhize) January 2, 2018
“Due to the incident at UJ in 2012, walk-in’s are discouraged,” Mkhize added.
Admission criteria and all relevant conditions apply at all times for financial assistance for the poor and working class. Firstly a student applies to a post school institution within a stipulated period of time .The acceptance letter is a precondition for funding
— Hlengiwe Mkhize (@ProfMkhize) January 2, 2018
She spent the briefing emphasising government’s stance on the issue.
Government assured students that:
- Applicants with firm offer letters will be assessed on the new criteria
- All those in possession of a firm offer but didn’t apply for Nsfas funding will be helped
- Students who have not applied at institutions or Nsfas and are looking for places at institutions can apply through the National Applications Clearing House
