More campus chaos will hurt poor students – Blade
HIGHER Education Minister Blade Nzimande cautioned that a repeat of the 2016 chaos which engulfed South African institutions of tertiary education would have a devastating, long-term effect.
“The casualties will be the poor and working-class students, while those from middle and upper class families will opt for private provision or studying abroad. Experienced academics frustrated with the chaos in the public sector will also be attracted abroad or to a more stable and better paying private sector,” he said.
“This means that those student leaders and organisations genuinely concerned about access and affordability should maintain high levels of vigilance, as there are opportunists in their midst, ready to hijack their noble cause.”
Nzimande said what started off as genuine students’ protests for free education, has been hijacked by political and financial interests which have shown “a darker side”.
“A variety of vested financial and political interests have entered the scene, essentially hoping to reap benefits. For instance, we have noted with concern how individuals have managed to turn what was essentially a peaceful student-led, intersectional struggle into one characterised by violence and anarchy.
President Jacob Zuma last year established a commission of inquiry into the feasibility of free education, following countrywide violent protests on university and college campuses under the #FeesMustFall banner. Several campuses closed and leaders have been threatening to resume the protests this year.
In November, Zuma announced he had received an interim report from the commission on higher education chaired by Judge Jonathan Heher.
The commission was given eight months to complete its work, but the deadline was later extended to June 30, 2017.
Nzimande appealed to students to await the recommendations of the Heher inquiry.
“There are national processes in place designed to identify a long-term solution to the question of university funding and fees. We urge all stakeholders to co-operate with this important process and give space to the finalisation of this matter.” – ANA