Madam Deputy Speaker, the DA opposes the Budget for the following reasons: Not enough money has been allocated specifically to rescue the majority of universities and FET colleges from underperforming. The DA has budgeted an extra amount of R3 billion in its alternative budget especially for the benefit of needy deserving students. Government needs to explain how free undergraduate tertiary education will be funded. It requires a very sophisticated financial model.
Government is silent on what changes will be implemented to improve the quality and quantity of trainings funded by the Sector Education and Training Authority, Seta. The DA is also concerned about the independence of the National Skills Fund and its decisions to only fund certain skills initiatives.
The money that is set aside for this portfolio should be spent more effectively and on a more appropriately designed education system rather than focusing on spending more money on the current system. [Applause.]