Cape Town – Echoing remarks made earlier in the day, the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) on Tuesday highlighted ministerial powers, transformation goals, and the functioning of university councils as concerns with the Higher Education Amendment (HEA) bill.
This, during public hearings into the HEA bill conducted by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.
The CIE, the representative of 345 Catholic schools, commended the Department of Higher Education and Training “for its continued efforts in refining higher education policies”.
However, there were concerns which they hoped would be addressed.
Preceded by stakeholders such as the South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union (SAPTU) and the University of Cape Town (UCT), CIE’s concerns were similar.
CIE raised concern with proposed additional powers conferred on the minister. This would include the setting of transformation goals and the composition and functioning of university councils.
“The extent to which these powers impact on the institutional autonomy and academic freedom of public or state universities will require careful scrutiny and monitoring,” said the CIE.
CIE also requested that “transformation goals” be clearly defined.
The CIE also stated, in line with SAPTU and UCT, that the expansion of the minister’s powers regarding university councils could encroach on an institution’s autonomy.
The other stakeholders making their oral submissions on Tuesday was the Higher Education Transformation Network and the Council on Higher Education.
The public hearings are scheduled to take place from February 16-19.
African News Agency
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