14 Apr 2014

Acting Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has informed Parliament that fees charged by tertiary institutions are directed administrative costs incurred, which include staff time and stationery used.

He said it was a regular world-wide practice and noted that abolishment of the fees was not feasible, but noted that anybody eligible or entitled to grants because of their economic status, an application fee might be taken care off, to support such individual.

He said he was not aware of anyone of that category who had been disadvantaged because of his/her economic status.

He said for government institutions, most of them did not charge application fees except UB and BIUST and that private ones such as GIPS, Baisago, while Botho University did not charge.

He was responding to a question asked by Kgatleng East MP, Mr Isaac Mabiletsa who wanted to know why application fees for tertiary institutions were not abolished as they disadvantaged the less privileged. ENDS