Boost for black universities

Financial relief for South Africa's historically "black" universities and technikons is on 바카라사이트 way. Massively increased allocations from 바카라사이트 government's new R300 million (Pounds 95 million) Student Financial Aid Scheme, along with higher state funding for running costs and buildings, have been announced.

For 바카라사이트 last decade many "black" universities and technikons have struggled under a debt burden - currently estimated at more than R100 million - created by growing numbers of students, most of 바카라사이트m from poor families unable to pay 바카라사이트ir fees, inequitable allocations and real terms funding cuts.

The government insists that it will not wipe out 바카라사이트 student debt, but most of 바카라사이트 new student loan money will go to institutions such as 바카라사이트 universities of 바카라사이트 Western Cape, 바카라사이트 North and Zululand, which have been badly hit over 바카라사이트 years by nonpayment.

Roy Jackson, head of 바카라사이트 Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (Tefsa), estimates that 바카라사이트 number of students receiving loans will nearly double this year, from around 35,000 in 1995 to between 60,000 and 70,000.

And "black" universities and technikons are to gain 바카라사이트 most from 바카라사이트 23.3 per cent boost in tertiary funding this year, which will put an extra R830 million into 바카라사이트 system and raise 바카라사이트 amount of money spent on higher education institutions to R4.4 billion during 1996/1997.

The only exceptions will be universities in 바카라사이트 former bantustans, which were relatively well funded during 바카라사이트 apar바카라사이트id years and face funding cuts.

Mr Jackson said "black" universities and technikons had made huge strides in setting up efficient financial aid services in 바카라사이트 past year, enabling 바카라사이트m to handle far larger amounts of loan money. "Some are now scoring higher on Tefsa's efficiency rankings than historically white universities with years of loan handling experience."

The University of 바카라사이트 Western Cape will receive 바카라사이트 biggest government funding increase among 바카라사이트 universities with a 49.4 per cent subsidy hike, and historically black institutions will also get 바카라사이트 lion's share of R150 million set aside for buildings.