Question NW441 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
22 March 2019 - NW441
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
What amount does the Government spend on average (a) in respect of each student and (b) annually for students studying at (i) universities and (ii) technical vocational education and training colleges?
Reply:
(a) -(b)(i) The total state budget for university subsidies for the 2017 university academic year was R34.067 billion, as stated in table one of the annual Ministerial Statement on University Funding. This allocation was for 1 036 984 individual students. On average, government subsidised each university student with an amount of R32 852 in the 2017 academic year.
It is important to note that this amount does not include the funding provided by government through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to individual poor and working-class students to support them to pay university fees and their daily expenses while studying.
(ii) On average, government subsidised each student at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college with an amount of R45 929 in the 2019 academic year based on a Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) basis. This amount is based on the 2019/20 available budget of R12.976 billion (80% State subsidy plus 20% NSFAS Tuition Bursaries, excluding any allowances) and the funded 282 526 FTE students for the 2019 academic year as contained in the TVET colleges’ enrolment plans.