Pandor calls for calm at varsities

HIGHER Education Minister Naledi Pandor, yesterday called on all players in the higher education sector to commit to dialogue and shun violence and disruption to the academic programme.

“I urge that we continue engaging passionately about the challenges faced by all of us in building a productive, inclusive and sustainable university education system.

“I respectfully request all stakeholders to make use of the multiple channels available to all of us to ensure that we engage in a calm and peaceful way,” Pandor said.

“We cannot support threats of violence and disruptions to the academic programme. I urge the leaders of universities and student formations as well as parents to continue working together to resolve difficult matters.”

Today, Pandor had a meeting with the student representative council presidents from all 26 public universities in South Africa, along with the South African

Union of Students (SAUS), the chief executive of Universities South

Africa and the administrator of the National Student Financial

Aid Scheme.

“The meeting was held in response to an urgent request from SAUS to address 12 high level demands made by SAUS in calling for a national shutdown of all universities assistance,” she said.

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