Subsidising the well-off students could starve others of opportunities
AS THE national debate on the future of university fees continues with great passion it is crucial that we do not lose sight of the massive advances we continue making in empowering young people through knowledge and skills, enabling ever more to contribute to the continent’s most industrialised economy.Our advances have perhaps gone largely unnoticed because they lie hidden in a tome headed Statistical release PO318 General household survey. Issued by Statistics SA and running to 195 pages, the study indicates among many other things that at least part of the current pressure on university cost structures is a result of the massive opening of higher education and training in recent years to young people who were previously denied access.READ THIS: Wits academics will not teach until agreement is reached, lecturer saysStats SA notes that 710,139 students were enrolled at universities and universities of technology last year. Its findings show an increase from 9.3% in 2009 in the nu...
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