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The Department of Higher Education and Training has suspended its proposal to
implement a zero percent fee increase at institutions of higher learning for 2025.
The suggestion for the zero increase was made last month but could not be executed due to time constraints highlighted by stakeholders in the higher education sector.
In a letter written by Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to Universities South Africa (USAF) dated January 1, 2025, she sets out that the 0% increase will be deferred.
Meanwhile, a multi-stakeholder task team will be formed to examine the sector’s future sustainability and tuition fees.
“While this proposal underscores government’s commitment to ensuring access and affordability, I recognise current time limitations and that the prerogative to determine tuition fees lies with university councils, as provided for in the Higher Education Act. I, therefore, wish to defer the proposal for a zero percent fee increase, thus allowing the current council-approved budgets for 2025 to progress,” it reads.
This decision follows a consultation between USAF and the department on December 17, 2024. USAF felt that the minister had not shown any urgency in bringing her proposal to life, which made it hard for universities to plan for the 2025 academic year.
Nkabane’s appeal suggested there be no increase because of the delay in the implementation of the fee regulatory framework. The framework was supposed to be finalised by October 2024, however, it was placed on review due to the sequence of the complex work on funding in the context of fiscal consolidation.
In her initial letter to USAF she wrote: “In this regard, although initially proposed for 2022-2024, a three-year agreement can only be introduced for 2026-2028. In addition, the consensus amongst universities, and as expressed by USAF, is that additional time be provided for consideration of the proposed fee framework. I am proposing a zero percent increase.”
The framework, developed by retired vice-chancellors, looks to monitor and cap annual fee increases. The framework also includes variations in fees charged for the same qualification across institutions. It seems to improve student debt and accessibility to higher education.
Issues regarding student fees sharply came to the fore during the Fees Must Fall protests, which started in late 2015. The student-led protest led to a 0% increase in 2016.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary portfolio committee on Higher Education Tebogo Letsie has backed the minister’s decision to rescind the zero percent fee increase proposal.
“In most institutions, the health sciences departments have already started registrations from the 2nd of January 2025, and if the impasse was not resolved earlier it could have definitely brought about instability in the sector.”
