The Department of Higher Education and Training has allocated R1 981 200 million towards improving the infrastructure, student housing and maintenance, among other things, at 24 state-owned universities.

“Minister Blade Nzimande has approved that the focus for 2015/16 Infrastructure and Efficiency Output Grant is student housing, deferred maintenance, refurbishment/remodelling, capacity upgrades and previously committed/priority projects,” said department spokesperson Khaye Nkwanyana.

The allocations include R700 million for backlog maintenance, refurbishment/remodelling and capacity upgrades and R763 410 million for priority/committed projects which require urgent funding in the 2015/16 financial year.

An amount of R517 790 million is allocated for student housing.

“The Minister has written letters to the Vice Chancellors of the universities indicating the amounts allocated and the conditions for the use of the grants,” said Nkwanyana