One other concern that we have as a committee is that of institutions of higher learning that offer qualifications that are accredited by the Council of Higher Education but not by the professional bodies. Over and above the accreditation by the Council of Higher Education, other programmes are to be accredited by professional bodies like health and medical programmes, and built environment and engineering programmes, to mention a few. This is done to ensure that institutions put in place the appropriate resources that will ensure that the provision of teaching and learning meet the required standards and levels of quality.
I will single out one professional body, the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants. This body assures the quality of academic programmes so that they will lead to qualification as a chartered accountant. It is important to note that not all institutions that offer qualifications related to a bachelor's degree in accounting are accredited by this body. Students who go through these unaccredited programmes are at a disadvantage because, upon completion of their studies, they must first register for the two-year SAICA accreditation bridging course before they can enrol in trainee accountant programmes. Their counterparts who passed the same qualification at an accredited institution will be accepted into chartered accountant programmes. Minister, this must be looked into.
In conclusion, the challenges outlined above put the spotlight on the 2012 Budget Vote. We note that this budget sets a good pace towards addressing these challenges, with the earmarked MTEF allocation further accelerating the pace at which they are addressed. The gains that the department has made in the past three years give us hope that, as the ANC, we are on the right path towards rooting out all forms of exclusion in the higher- education sector.
The Minister has articulated the vision and made pronouncements on matters that will totally reshape the landscape of higher education. Certain issues, like the use of African languages in the medium and long term as languages of science, should be fast-tracked. Minister, there really is a need to assist those institutions that are ready to implement this so that they can serve as models for other institutions to do the same. We support the effort to grow the higher-education system so that we can increase enrolment by 2030, and we are looking forward to that. The continued allocation to address the challenges of student accommodation is a sign of good progress.
Therefore, as the ANC, we are saying that the 2012 Budget Vote sets a faster pace for progress and addressing the challenges. We really support it and are very glad that even the progressive opposition parties, which share the vision of this country going forward, support this Budget Vote with its additions. It is clear from their comments and contributions that they want to make sure that an African child does benefit from the system. We do serve the African child - except for those opposition parties who, I think, forgot to support this Budget Vote or they do not understand what is happening. [Time expired.]