Chairperson, thank you very much. There is a large number of matters that dealt with education and I will try to be as quick as possible in dealing with them.
Firstly, to the hon member Fatima Chohan, I'd like to thank her and perhaps emphasise the fact that Kha Ri Gude has not only contributed to the eradication of illiteracy, but has won two prizes, one from the Pan South African Language Services Board, PanSALB, and one from the Government Communication Information System, GCIS, for its achievements.
Secondly, there are 40 000 practitioners, mainly between the ages of 25 and 35, that assist in this particular process, and they receive a stipend. So this provides for economic empowerment, and many of these youth have decided to pursue a teaching career as a result of this initiative.
Thirdly, the programme is available in all indigenous languages, as well as sign language and Braille. So it is a remarkable achievement and it is something that we have to celebrate as a country. Beyond that, 650 000 adult learners are enrolled for this year, and another 650 000 for next year.
With regard to the issue of progressive realisation of the right to education, I want to tell the hon member that it is not derived from the Constitution but from the Freedom Charter. The Freedom Charter speaks about our commitment to provide opportunities for those who do not have means, but have merit and ability. In fact this ruling party, as well as government, is committed to this achievement.
What we should celebrate is that 10 years ago only R25 million was set aside for tertiary education in the form of bursaries. Currently more than R1,2 billion is set aside for higher education in universities and universities of technology. [Applause.] Beyond that R800 million has been set aside over a period of three years for further education and training, FET, colleges. This increased access has contributed to the fact that more than 520 000 students are enrolled in FET colleges, which was regarded as the Cinderella of skills development.
With the regard to the member who spoke quite correctly about empowering provisions of auxiliary services, the culmination or creation of a Department of Higher Education and Training will look seriously - in fact, is looking seriously - at out-of-school opportunities. This means that we should not pretend that the only skills we require are professional skills or high-level skills. There are artisanal skills and there are intermediate skills, which are critical. The list that has been provided, in fact, speaks to the response of the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Finally, with regard to the issue of misconduct and deviant behaviour on campuses, the ANC, as well as government, is very clear that everybody has a constitutional right to peaceful protest and that that constitutional right does not involve vandalism, intimidation and destruction of property.
So government reaffirms its position in that regard, whether it is the SA Students Congress, Sasco, or any other student organisation. That commitment of government to the right to peaceful protest is something that we will protect, but we certainly do not condone any deviation from that right which results in violence or gross misconduct.
However, universities, given the fact that they are autonomous, have a particular responsibility to ensure that their rules provide for measures to deal with these transgressions. In fact, universities that have been proactive have successfully dealt with issues where there have been criminal tendencies. Thank you.