/ 19 April 2005

Tertiary funding formula set to change

Government is planning to change the funding formula for tertiary education in order to deal with increasing numbers of students.

Ahmed Essop, chief director of higher education planning, told Parliament institutions enrol more students to generate income but produce low numbers of graduates. He said in future the minister of education will set priorities which will determine the amount of funds to be released to each institution.

Funding will be goal-driven, with more allocated to institutions that produce many graduates, enrol more black and coloured students and produce professionals in fields where the government identifies a need, for example engineering or business.