GOVERNMENT has increased the social grant monies above inflation in order to cover for the proposed increase in VAT.
An additional R2.6 billion was added to the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement Speech in order allow for the social grants increases.
Gigaba announced that the old age, disability and care dependency grants would increased from the 1st of April - by R90 from the existing R1600 to R1690 and it will also be increased by a further R10 to R1700 on the 1 October.
However, the child support grant will also increase from R380 to R400, and to R410 in October amounting to a 6.6% annual increase.
The Education infrastructure grant was also allocated R31.7 billion over the medium term to
build new schools, upgrade and maintain existing infrastructure.
Gigaba added that meals will be provided at 19 800 schools for about 9 million learners, on the daily basis through the National Schools nutrition programme grant, which has been allocated R21.7 billion over the medium term.
While 39 000 Funza Lushaka bursaries, that are given via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, at a cost of R 3.7 billion for prospective teachers in priority subject areas such as
mathematics, science and technology will be provided over the next three years.
