Questions were raised about the performance of embattled Wits University vice-chancellor Norma Reid Birley months before this week’s council decision to probe her conduct, well-placed university sources said on Thursday.

The University of Durban-Westville (UDW) has backed down, apparently under government pressure, on its plans to appoint a new vice-chancellor for a three-year period of office.

The government has formulated its comprehensive new curriculum for the crucial last three years of schooling without reliable data — and in some cases any data at all, educationists and teacher unions say.

The government urgently needs to clarify how the huge costs of merging tertiary institutions will be met, say the heads of the country’s universities and technikons. They also remain sceptical that mergers will achieve the government’s education policy goals.

Massive resistance against the government’s programme to restructure tertiary education is mounting at institutions as the 90-day period for comment on the plans nears closure.

Drop in infections: The number of young pregnant women infected with HIV in Zambia has dropped sharply, mainly due to awareness campaigns, said Health Minister Brian Chituwo.

Unisa has been footing some of the legal bill for McCaps Motimele’s defence in the case of sexual harassment brought by Professor Margaret Orr.

Allegations that sexual harassment and racist slurs created an intolerable work environment will be heard in the Johannesburg High Court on August 2 when former Unisa Professor Margaret Orr launches her action against the university’s chairperson of council, McCaps Motimele.