Question NW3712 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
22 November 2023 - NW3712
Sibiya, Ms DP to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Considering that funding requirements that align with community education and training colleges (CETs) have been one of the progressive factors concerning the higher education sector, what are the relevant details of the sustainable funding model that has been developed for CETs?
Reply:
In the 2022/23 financial year, the Department developed the sustainable funding model for Community Education and Training (CET) Colleges. The model was implemented with effect from the 2023/24 financial year. The intended outcome of the model is to equitably distribute available funding to Community Colleges taking into account a number of variables including a minimum allocation for basic college operations, enrolment numbers, programmes and qualifications mix, duration of programmes, etc. The model does not provide for any additional funding, it distributes the available budget equitably.
The model estimates that the CET college sector requires R876 million for annual operational activities (subsidy), and this amount excludes employee salary costs. This translates into a 76% funding gap when compared to the allocated subsidy of R211.641 million for the 2023/24 financial year.