| Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 |
| 1997 |
[Assented to 26 November 1997]
[Date of Commencement: 19 December 1997]
(English text signed by the President)
As amended by Higher Education Amendment Act 55 of 1999, Higher Education Amendment Act 54 of 2000, Higher Education Amendment Act 23 of 2001 |
| |
Full Version (379Kb ~ 2 min)
Act
To regulate higher education; to provide for the establishment, composition and
functions of a Council on Higher Education; to provide for the establishment,
governance and funding of public higher education institutions; to provide for
the appointment and functions of an independent assessor; to provide for the
registration of private higher education institutions; to provide for quality
assurance and quality promotion in higher education; to provide for transitional
arrangements and the repeal of certain laws; and to provide for matters
connected therewith.
Preamble
WHEREAS IT IS DESIRABLE TO
ESTABLISH
a single co-ordinated higher education system which promotes
co-operative governance and provides for programme-based higher education;
RESTRUCTURE AND TRANSFORM programmes and institutions to
respond better to the human resource, economic and development needs of the
Republic;
REDRESS past discrimination and ensure representivity and equal access;
PROVIDE optimal opportunities for learning and the creation of knowledge;
PROMOTE the values which underlie an open and democratic society based
on human dignity, equality and freedom;
RESPECT freedom of religion, belief and opinion;
RESPECT and encourage democracy, academic freedom, freedom of speech
and expression, creativity, scholarship and research;
PURSUE excellence, promote the full realisation of the potential of every
student and employee, tolerance of ideas and appreciation of diversity;
RESPOND to the needs of the Republic and of the communities served by the
institutions;
CONTRIBUTE to the advancement of all forms of knowledge and
scholarship, in keeping with international standards of academic quality;
AND WHEREAS IT IS DESIRABLE for higher education institutions to enjoy
freedom and autonomy in their relationship with the State within the context of public
accountability and the national need for advanced skills and scientific knowledge;
