BUDGET 2003
Education gets the lion's share
26 February 2003
Finance minister Trevor Manuel has once again prioritised education, pumping the largest chunk of his Budget into the sector.
Delivering his annual Budget speech in Parliament, Cape Town on Wednesday, Manuel set aside 23.2% of non-interest expenditure for education.
"Education expands abilities and opportunities. It is a great freedom in itself, and opens the doors to other freedoms. We recognise this. That is why, at 23.2% of non-interest expenditure, investment in education and deepening of the skills base of the economy is our largest expenditure area," he explained.
Raising the level of funding for learner support materials tops education priorities this year, Manuel said. "More money will be spent on school building and maintenance as well as textbooks, stationery, mathematical sets and science kits, supporting effective teaching and learning in schools."
Spending on school education at provincial level is budgeted to grow
from R59-billion in 2003/04 to R67-billion in 2005/06.
At the national level, R800-million is directed towards restructuring the higher education system over the next three years. "These allocations will contribute towards recapitalisation and facilitate restructuring of higher education institutions", the minister said.
A further R280-million replenishes the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, helping to make tertiary education a reality for poorer students.
Source: BuaNews
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