The academic year in the higher education sector will probably only end in March next year, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande said.

He also told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday that his department's budget will be cut with just shy of R10-billion.

"The final Special Adjustments Budget cut for the department for 2020/21 amounts to R9.857-billion," Nzimande told MPs in the virtual sitting of the NCOP.

He said the total suspension of funds amounts to R6.734-billion, of which R4.999-billion is reallocated for reprioritising expenditure towards Covid-19 activities, while the net suspension amounts to R1.734-billion for normal voted funds.

The adjustments budget also provides for the reduced collection of skills levies to the amount of R8.122-billion.

This means the department's original allocation for 2020/21 reduces from R116.857-billion to R107.000-billion, which represents a reduction of 8%.

"It is clear the 2020 academic year is not going to finish in 2020," he said, adding it is expected to finish in March, which will add to the costs.

Opposition MPs were not impressed with the budget cuts.

Plundering

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Delmaine Christians said higher education should be the frontline department and the DA is "deeply concerned" about the cut and the "plundering" of higher education.

The Economic Freedom Fighters' Lindile Luthuli said the adjusted budget does not appreciate the critical moment South Africa currently finds itself in.

"It shows no imagination and does not consider the needs of the black child," she said.

Freedom Front Plus MP Armand Cloete said only time will tell what the impact on higher education will be.

He said Nzimande should take responsibility for the "ghost students" and the R100-million for an inadequate computer system at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

DA MP Cathlene Labuschagne said the budget should be an investment in South Africa's future, but the government seems more interested in getting bailouts for SAA, showing "cadre deployment is its highest priority".