Former Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, says he is still of the view that all poor and working class students should be provided with free education at tertiary level.
His comments come after President Jacob Zuma released the Fees Commission Report Monday.
It recommends that students be funded through a cost-sharing model of government guaranteed loans from commercial banks.
The report also recommends that students studying at TVET Colleges receive fully subsidised free education in the form of grants. Students from various universities have voiced their opposition to the recommendations.
Nzimande explains that his own view is very clear and guided by the ANC policies.
“We must provide free higher education to the poor and working class, not to everyone. My own view is that at least provide some loans for students so they don’t have to pay upfront, those who feel they are constrained, but we can charge them interest according to the income that they earn. The working class and the poor should be assisted greatly so they don’t have to pay upfront. Those are the people who are in a difficult position,” says Nzimande.
