Caution over varsity, college plan

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement about the establishment of more universities and TVET colleges has drawn mixed reaction from political parties.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the Ministers of Finance and Higher Education to work on a proposal to build more universities and TVET colleges with specialised areas of focus. I GCIS

(I GCIS)

Delivering his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the government will expand the opportunities for young people to enter institutions of higher learning to absorb the increasing number of young people passing matric.

Last year saw the highest matric pass rate in our history, with more than two-thirds of all bachelor passes coming from schools in the most disadvantaged communities.

“T have directed the ministers of Finance and Higher Education to work on a proposal to build more universities and TVET colleges with specialised areas of focus.

“An immediate problem is the great shortage of student accommodation at our institutions of higher learning. I have directed the minister of Higher Education to address this challenge, working with financial institutions on innovative ways in which government can provide student accommodation,” said Ramaphosa during his address.