29 August 2006
The Minister of Education, N Pandor, affirmed today that all higher
education institutions had an important role to play in achieving our national
innovation and development goals.
Referring to an article in the Mail and Guardian headlined âTwo-tier
varsities mootedâ (25 August), she said that there was no new policy to give
the top research universities additional funding.
In 2005 the Department put forward a general proposal to stabilise student
numbers by limiting funded growth enrolment across the board in the future.
However, after consultation with universities a decision was reached to
adopt a differentiated approach tailored to each higher education
institution.
On the one hand, the Department agreed to assess the growth potential in
each institution and on the other hand to fast track an expansion of
opportunities for school leavers in the further education and training college
sector.
This differentiated approach required bilateral discussions with each higher
education institution. The process of consultation is currently ongoing.
âWe did not decide to cap, then back track, and allow the better resourced
institutions to steam ahead with unplanned growth in student numbers,â said
Molapo Qhobela, acting Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Higher Education.
âEach institution has an important contribution to make in general and niche
fields. Our aim to support sustained growth where it is best suited.â
Enquires:
Lunga Ngqengelele
(012) 312 5538
082 566 0446
ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education
29 August 2006
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za)
