Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Protesters want more than fee agreement
Still seeking free education
STUDENT leaders who were locked in a meeting with President Jacob Zuma yesterday were unhappy with the decision not to raise fees next year, instead wanting the government to provide free education at all tertiary institutions.
Zuma announced after the closed-door meeting with the university vice- chancellors, heads of university councils and student leaders at the Union Buildings, that there would be no tuition fee increase for next years.
But the student organisations said they were unhappy with the outcome of the meeting, and that the government had failed to commit to help them in the long-term.
Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania president Ndiyakholwa Ngqulu said: “We thought that because he (Zuma) is from a poor background, he would understand where we were coming from with our proposal.”
One of the burning issues at the meeting was about the current funding model for tertiary education, which was problematic as it was not benefiting all students.
He said it was unfair that the former white institutions were also benefiting from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The meeting proposed that an investigation was needed to look into how the funding model could be improved upon.
Zuma said the investigation would be led by a presidential task team, established to look
TWITTER REACTION
THE countrywide #FeesMustFall movement has used social media to spread the word and unite students at universities throughout South Africa. These are some of the thousands of tweets in reaction to President Jacob Zuma’s announcement of a 0 percent fee increase, as well as events earlier in the day. ● @Kinglenhle: I study in a university that started a Global Revolution.... Thank you @WitsSRC #FeesHaveFallen ● @KemmoneM: Wish we were not turned into fools. There’s a difference between #FeesMustFall and 0% increment. Free education is the goal #ProudTUTStudent ● @valavoosh: We must indeed celebrate this achievement. 0% is a victory. But ONE of the victories. However #FeesMustFall ● @CollinsAfrica: Today history was made, when you are united with a goal in mind, you are assured into the scheme.
South African Students Congress president Makhombuti Ntuthuko said the autonomy of universities also came under the spotlight.
This made it difficult for the government to regulate the way they decided on the fees.
He proposed that the government look into regulating how fees were administered at varsities.
DA Student Organisation leader Yusuf Cassim said it called for the introduction of free education. He was disappointed with the outcome of the meeting because it had deflected the blame from Zuma victory. #FeesMustFall ● @FaithKobo1: Step by step we’re getting there. First 2016 fees, then clearing of debt for all students, then free education for all. #FeesMustFall ● @jesslevitt: That got very hairy. But on a bus now with Wits and UJ students. There are tears here: people in shock #FeesMustFall ● @FreeZie_Bangz: This is just the start, we have free increment. But The #FeesMustFall Movement will carry on until they give us what we asked for! ● @noxy_lindelwa: Fees haven’t really fallen. This is the first step. A win. A step towards free education. #FeesMustFall ● @War2ren_: We reject this! This is not a victory! We want free education!!!! #FeesMustFall ● @UWCStudents: We #UWC students are NOT criminals. We do not deserve to be treated as such. Supposed to protect us yet you attack us #FeesMustFall and Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
Mpho Morolane, EFF Students Command president, also expressed disappointment at the approach of the government. He suggested that the private sector be made to pay at least 2 percent tax towards the students’ funding.
Zuma said the students raised other concerns, including transformation issues and matters related to living conditions at universities. “The government understands the difficulty faced by students from poor households and urges all affected to allow the process to unfold.”