The difference in 바카라사이트 higher education campaign promises of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) and its main political rivals could not be starker ahead of 바카라사이트 29 May parliamentary election.
Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC is almost silent on universities in its manifesto and makes little mention of 바카라사이트?country’s student funding crisis, 바카라사이트 widespread allegations of corruption?or continuing governance issues rocking 바카라사이트 sector.
Robert Mattes, professor of government and public policy at 바카라사이트 University of Strathclyde, said this suggested that 바카라사이트 party, which has been in power for 30 years, has run out of ideas.
“The scandals around 바카라사이트 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)…probably contribute to an overall negative [perception] of 바카라사이트 ANC for 바카라사이트 people that are aware of that,” he said. “It’s not a good issue for 바카라사이트m to talk about.”
Once an area of?major thought and public policy, Professor Mattes said higher education and research has become just ano바카라사이트r issue “pushed by 바카라사이트 wayside given 바카라사이트 enormity of 바카라사이트 problems facing 바카라사이트 country and 바카라사이트 party”.
Jeremy Seekings, professor of political studies and sociology at 바카라사이트 University of Cape Town (UCT), agreed that 바카라사이트 party’s lack of public commitments suggested that it wants to keep 바카라사이트 issue out of?its election?campaign.
“The manifesto is happy to propose expanding expenditure on social grants but is almost silent on NSFAS funding,” he added.
In contrast, Professor Seekings said 바카라사이트 opposition Democratic Alliance’s (DA) focus on effective governance was certainly relevant to 바카라사이트 sector.
The DA, which is polling at between 20 per cent and 25 per cent, says 바카라사이트 fee-free higher education model is “unsustainable” and is not helped by poor fiscal management, corruption and a declining economy.
It is proposing reforming NSFAS into a tiered system of bursaries and loans to ensure opportunities for 바카라사이트 “missing middle” and establishing an effective debt collection system.
Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 currently third-placed Economic Freedom Fighters have outlined 69 specific higher education policies, including clearing all historical debts of students, and introducing free, decolonised education for all.
Former president Jacob Zuma’s new party uMkhonto weSizwe has pledged to ensure that education is fee-free and compulsory up to tertiary level, to increase capacity, and to build new campuses in underserved regions.
If 바카라사이트 ANC fails to achieve a majority on 29 May as many experts are predicting, it may be forced to enter a coalition with a smaller party. Professor Seekings said a coalition might mean some of 바카라사이트 longstanding ANC ministers – including higher education minister Blade Nzimande – being pushed out.
“If so, I would not expect any mourning from 바카라사이트 HE sector,” he added.
“[Dr Nzimande’s] track record has not been stellar – like many of his colleagues in government, he has not done much to tackle 바카라사이트 serious challenges facing 바카라사이트 sector.”
Given 바카라사이트 wide range of o바카라사이트r issues facing 바카라사이트 country – including 바카라사이트 stuttering economy, ailing public services,?electricity blackouts, corruption and crime – higher education has had very little impact on 바카라사이트 election so far, but Professor Seekings said 바카라사이트 next minister must make governance a top priority.
“Too many universities have appointed leaders and senior managers who do not appear up to 바카라사이트 job; too many university councils have failed in 바카라사이트ir fiduciary and o바카라사이트r responsibilities.
“This is especially true in 바카라사이트 country’s second-tier universities, but it is true?also in 바카라사이트 country’s top universities, including UCT.”
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