Nkabane stands firm against criticism of budget

HIGHER Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane said she would not dignify the attacks levelled against her when the DA and some opposition parties rejected her department's budget.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Nkabane presented her department's budget for the 2025/26 financial year in the National Assembly two days after doing so in the National Council of Provinces, where the DA, MK Party, and the EFF rejected it.

The department has been allocated R142.4 billion and is set to increase at an average annual rate of 4.4% to R150bn in the next financial year and R158bn in 2027/28. "This growth is not sufficient to meet growing demands for additional resources," she said.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges have been allocated R14 billion, and both the Sector Education and Training Authorities and the National Skills Fund have a combined R26 billion.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is allocated R48.7 billion, and its allocation will increase to R51 billion next year and R53.4 billion in 2027.

Nkabane said the allocation was not sufficient to meet the growing demand for access to higher education.