FEES COMMISSION
Varsities ‘lose focus’ in search for more funds
The budget office concerned at the ‘commodification’ of education, with universities more focused on branding, ranking and enterprise development
The corporatised attitude to governance of the country’s universities had left some institutions more interested in servicing their corporate clients and donors than in teaching and developing knowledge, the Parliamentary budget office said on Tuesday. Making its final presentation to the fees commission, the budget office expressed concern at the "commodification" of education, with universities more focused on branding, ranking and enterprise development. Higher education has three main sources of income: government funding, tuition fees and private income. Director of the office Prof Mohammed Jahed said the increased focus on raising third-stream income meant that academics felt the pressure to teach more, publish more and raise more third-stream income. He argued that universities now had different clients — not just students and the government, which funded their studies. Increases in public funding for higher education had not kept pace with the higher education price index, w...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.