South Africa’s MPs seem to have no time for a “free for all” education, and each person comes with their own opinion and justification.

In summary, they argued free education was not practical, too costly, and could “eat up at least a quarter of the country’s GDP,” according to Times Live.

The parliamentary budget office presented a fiscal analysis of the cost of higher education, including various funding models which was then discussed by the standing committee. Times Live continued:

The debate came as the fees commission‚ which is underway in Pretoria‚ took submissions from various stakeholders including Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.

The committee heard how the country is sitting with a 12% recovery rate of student loans offered by NSFAS.

For 100% coverage of undergraduate headcount enrolments‚ the government would need more than R250 billion in additional funds to meet the funding needs in the medium term‚ or over the next three years‚ according to the research.

The research also found that only 30% of students starting first year graduate within three years‚ while only 56% of students‚ including white students‚ graduate within five years.

Of course, many opinions were heard.

From the NFP, Ahmed Shaik Emam brought up the issue of the poor graduating rate:

There is this perception that the state is a cash cow…. you just get and get. Now 12% recovery rate is very low. These graduates are supposed to go and get employed so they can start paying. But I don’t think there’s a will to even do that. [They say] ‘it’s not my money it’s state money’. I don’t personally believe the country is really in a position to be able to provide free education at this point.

From the ANC, MP Ndabakayise Gcwabaza said he wants to:

Plead with people to not base their argument for free education on fraud and corruption. Fraud and corruption is there. We must deal with it and clean it up. But the immediate challenge is the fees must fall and it means we must find money that is in government. I don’t agree with 100% free for all. Some of us can afford. Some were in previous Model C schools now they say free for all. It is not practical.

DA representative Alan Mcloughlin asked for more clarity on the figure of R250 billion saying it was a large figure.

I ask because that’s a quarter of our GDP at the moment.

Doreen Senokoanyane, also from the ANC, said:

the most important focus should be on transformation and addressing inequality. On the question of free education‚ I would say no. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t be promoting any equality. People who can afford to pay have to pay. We know for a fact government is not a profit making institution.

Now what? Honestly, the ANC needs to look deep within themselves and sort their shit out. Another Marikana is looming.

[source:timeslive]