Students’ demands are surely reasonable

SUCCESS at university does not come easily. If university students are to achieve their full academic potential and ultimately graduate with the desired degree, there is much they must overcome.

Self–discipline is a major requirement, as there are many distractions on campus, ranging from the lure of the opposite sex to the many social activities that will attract their attention and bring peer pressure to bear.

Study stress in having to cope with subject load and intensity is a reality, and apart from many being there with few financial resources, they will also not want to let down whoever is sponsoring their tertiary education.

There is indeed much that requires students to be levelheaded and to act responsibly.

By the same token, the institution has its part to play in ensuring students’ success, well-being and safety.

Over the past week the main campus of the University of Zululand was subject to student unrest.

While criminal activity and damage and destruction to property can never be condoned, there is no doubt that the roots of the student unrest were long-outstanding issues that have never been properly resolved.

The main issue is that of inadequate accommodation, especially the dangers of residing off-campus.

They deserve living conditions that are affordable, hygienic and – above all – safe.

Young students should not have to live in hovels, paying exorbitant prices for a leaking roof over their heads.

They should not have to fear for their lives when walking between campus to and from their residences.

They should not be subjected to violence, either on or off campus.

Their safety and security should be non-negotiable.

Small wonder, then, that last week saw them protest violently against their circumstances.

Promises have been broken and assurances of better, safer conditions have proved worthless.

After similar but far more violent protests were experienced in October 2019, the Department of Higher Education announced that R235-million was available to begin the first construction phase of some 3 500 new bed spaces over the next three years, with promises of refurbishments to the existing, decrepit lodging rooms the long-suffering students have been forced to occupy.

But still many are forced to live away from the main campus, with reports last week of a murder – perhaps two – off-campus, plus accounts of females being raped or sexually harassed and other having been robbed.

Thus the students’ demands are both fair and reasonable: sort out the accommodation issue, and provide better police and campus security protection.