SA gov't commits 4.5 bln rand as financial assistance to poor students

The South African government has committed 4.5 billion rand (about 321 million US dollars) as financial assistance to poor but academically deserving students, Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande said on Monday.

"The importance of education cannot be overemphasized and access to higher education and training cannot be determined by student's socio-economic conditions but by the capacity to excel in studies," the minister said in a statement.

This remains the government's promise to not exclude poor students, he said.

Nzimande issued the statement amid mounting threats by students to disrupt institutions of higher learning if their demand for zero fee increases is not met.

Last week, students burned the main examination hall at the Pietermaritzburg campus of the University KwaZulu-Natal and torched a truck belonging to the University of Zululand during student protests against possible fee rises.

This came after universities were hit by widespread protests over fee increases last year. According to official figures, the unrest cost more than 145 million rand in damage. Following the unrest, President Jacob Zuma appointed a commission to look into the students' concerns.

The government then suspended fee increases for 2016 and provided universities with billions of rand for the shortfall.

Last month, Zuma instructed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, as well as Nzimande to find money for another zero-percent fee increase for 2017.

The National Treasury has told the Fees Commission of Inquiry, looking into the feasibility of free tertiary education, that a zero-percent fee increment for 2017 was not budgeted for.

To date, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has received claims amounting to 373.3 million rand for 17, 580 students. Endit