In reaction to the parliamentary acceptance of the contentious Higher Education Amendment Bill, AfriForum stated that this step emphasised the necessity for establishing and managing private educational institutions of high quality.

According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, the Bill centres more and more power in the hand of the Minister of Higher Education and Training. “Academic freedom is a non-negotiable requirement for the continuation of excellent academic institutions that can train students to think critically and creatively and to be valuable to their communities through their ideas. Where ideology-driven politicians have the right to decide on the curricula, ethos and even funding of institutions, there is a very small chance of academic freedom in public institutions in South Africa in the long run.”

“We have seen in the past few years how institutions take decisions to the detriment of internationally-accepted principles such as mother-tongue education, among others. It is often clear that these decisions are made as a result of pressure by politicians. Until now, these influences have normally occurred indirectly. In terms of the accepted Amendment Bill, however, direct interference from the Minister’s side is now possible, which will be difficult to stop through normal university management channels. For this reason, it is important that strong, independent educational institutions be established and supported by the public to maintain the principle of academic freedom,” Bailey stated.

AfriForum’s legal representatives will study the final version of the Bill to establish which actions will be necessary to oppose the negative impact thereof on public educational institutions.

Issued by AfriForum