Committee Chairs call on political parties to unite in search for solution to higher education crisis
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Ms Connie September, has called on political parties to be part of finding solutions to the higher education crisis.
Ms September is leading a parliamentary Joint Committee on a week-long oversight visit to Gauteng with the aim of finding ways to complete the academic year. “The recurring message to the Committee from different stakeholders is that politics is the underlying issue, but that differences need to be put aside and that we must look at the bigger picture, which is to save the academic year,” Ms September said.
“Education is a societal issue. Hence we need to be speaking in one voice across the political spectrum. Involvement of everyone in finding a solution is crucial; that will get the future of our children back on track,” she said.
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training and the Select Committee on Education are on a week-long joint visit to Gauteng, where they are engaging various stakeholders in the sector, including student leaders, regulatory and statutory bodies, and parents on plans to save the academic year.
Ms September said parents indicated last week that they believed that, if all political parties worked together, a solution to the problem could be found. The same sentiment was expressed by Universities South Africa on Tuesday.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
