Parents, matrics should weigh up 2017 options

I RECENTLY read the opinion piece “Tough decisions for Grade 12s” by Prof Jonathan Jansen. His views and opinion pieces are more often than not well thought-out and I give them the respect they deserve.

That isn’t to say that I agree with all of them, which is the case when I read this particular piece. In it, he encourages the current matric class, as well as their parents, not to make any hasty decisions about choosing alternative options for next year.

As a current second-year student at NMMU, I have to disagree with him here. I believe that parents should be weighing up alternative options. The last time NMMU had a normal functioning day was September 19. It’s hard to believe that more than a month has past without the university functioning properly.

There were also a number of incidents peppered throughout the year where management felt it necessary to shut down operations for a couple of days. We once again find ourselves sitting in the dark, not knowing what is happening, and no exam timetable in sight.

Prof Jansen writes that besides the poorest students in our universities, everybody else must pay or the system collapses. I agree with him on this 100%. Academically deserving students should not have to give up on their university ambitions because their social standing sees them unable to afford the fees. But as for the many students who can afford fees they should pay, and rightfully so.

Yet numerous non-protesting students, who are willing to pay the fees, are not allowed to continue with their studies. If it’s not because management has shut down the university for a number of weeks, then it’s because they fear intimidation or the threat to their property.

Parents and matrics should take a look at private institutions of higher learning. Even a gap year might not be the worst decision, provided it is utilised properly and not used for sleeping all day.

Prof Jansen acknowledges that these are trying times for the education sector, but is hopeful that some form of normalcy will soon return. As a third-year student next year (should this year actually be completed) I hope he is right, but I have my doubts. 2017 is not a matter of if there will be protest action, but when.