MEDIUM TERM BUDGET 2003-06
R3bn for higher education revamp
13 November 2003
The government will allocate R3-billion for the transformation of higher education next year, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Presenting his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement to Parliament, Manuel said this amount will ensure an increase in the numbers of workers and learners who benefit from skills training programmes under the country's Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas).
"Over time, the substantial and growing investments in school education, together with ongoing reforms in higher education, will create a deeper pool of skills to support economic growth", Manuel said.
The funding of learner support materials and other school supplies will be strengthened, while the primary school nutrition programme will be shifted from the health to the education department.
Manuel added that these interventions are aimed at improving the quality of learning, particularly for learners in
poor areas.
Manuel told Parliament that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is producing solid financial results while increasing the number of awards to academically deserving and financially needy students.
Source: BuaNews
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