South Africa has been confronted by many challenges directly linked to the inaccessibility of affordable education. Since 2015 there has  been a lot of debate around  the #FeesMustFall movement, where students took to the streets to march for free higher education.

In mid-December 2017, the former President of the country Jacob Zuma announced that at the beginning of 2018 free higher education will be provided to all new first year students from families earning less than R350 000 per year. However, the free education roll-out, which will be implemented over 5 years, will only apply to students whose combined family income is below R350 000 per annum. GAP students whose family income exceeds R350 000 and is below R600 000 do not qualify for free education. Yet, these students will not incur any fee increment (Business Report Online, 10 January 2018, Zeenat Vallie)  

How the private sector can help alleviate the education challenges

Companies now have an opportunity to become an Employer of Choice through the SmartFunder Tax-deductible Education Bursary Fund for Employees benefit. This opportunity is one that is difficult to overlook in a time where organisations are looking for creative ways to enhance their Employee Value Proposition (EVP). EVP is about defining the essence of your institution and about what makes it unique and makes the people proud and motivated to work there. If your employee currently earns less than R600,000 per annum in total remuneration and they pay for their children or a relative who is in school (Grade R – 12) or in college or university (NQF level 5 – 10), employers can take up this amazing benefit. The benefit comes from moving their education expenses from a post-tax to a pre-tax expense, by way of a new company benefit.  The nett effect is that your employees save on tax on the education fees and this means that their disposable income increases. 

There is also no cost to the employer since Smartfunder will administer the Tax-deductible Education Bursary benefit on behalf of your employer. Organisations can help their employees to educate their relatives as a maximum of R20,000 per bursary (for grade R – 12) and R60,000 per bursary (for NQF level 5 – 10) tax free. The qualifying expenses could include; registration fees, tuition fees, examination fees, books, transport, accommodation, equipment, stationery, school uniforms, meals that are paid directly to the educational institution. An educational institution includes any institution that is registered and recognised under the laws of South Africa. 

So, what if the fees are more than R20 000 or R60 000 or less than the tax-exempt cap?An employee can choose their own amount to be deducted and you don’t have to use the maximum tax-exempt benefit amount. The monthly payroll deduction will be divided into equal monthly instalments, based on the total outstanding educational fees or expenses until the end of the calendar year. 

What is the catch?

There is no catch and it is completely budget neutral for the employer! There is a very small administration fee that the employee pays every month from their savings. The fee equates to roughly 10% of the savings you receive from SARS and is calculated based on your income.   

Section 29 of our constitution says:

(1) Everyone has the right;

(a) to a basic education, including adult basic education; and

(b) to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible. 

Organisations have a fundamental and pivotal role to play with regards to education, contributing to combating the skills shortfall that has beset the country and growing the economy.

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Written by, Smangele Maphanga , Sales Manager, BA Psychology This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Issued By:The Lime Envelope
On Behalf Of:21st Century
For Media Information: Bronwyn Levy
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