Can we surmise that Luthuli House has given an instruction to its heavyweight cadres that the metros must contribute substantially towards tertiary education?
Ekurhuleni’s mayor has certainly dived in feet first. Apparently there is an increase from R10 million to R100 million as our taxpayers’ contribution towards bursaries!
First point, education is not a local government competency.
Second point, we know education is a top priority (that’s what the government keeps telling us, but departments are run with great incompetence), so where’s the commitment to preschool, primary and secondary education?
These also need increased funding.
Third point, the R90-million increase didn’t just materialise. Other departments have to make do with reduced budgets to make up for a non-core local government spend.
Of the total budget, R90 million is insignificant. However, the focus should be on the improvement of poor infrastructure, a direct result of 20-plus years of incompetence.
It would be interesting to know what studies the students who received bursaries are pursuing. Hopefully not a four- to five-year course that produces a graduate who is of no benefit to the economy.
Oh yes, the students who previously received bursaries, where are they today?
