Durban - The University of KwaZulu-Natal and its SRC have held “open and constructive” talks about fees, the institution said on Tuesday.
The university’s council and the Student Representative Council met on Monday to address the grievances behind their ongoing protests, spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said in a statement.
Students wanted representation on the university's executive management committee. Seshoka said council expressed its reservations about this as it was against university’s rules.
The statute did however allow for the SRC to be represented on the council and senate committees.
The academic programme was proceeding as normal. There were no reports of disruptions on the Westville, Howard College, Edgewood, and Medical School campuses. There were some protests on the Pietermaritzburg campus, but lectures were not disrupted.
The university’s security guards and public order police were monitoring all campuses and every effort was being made to ensure the academic programme proceeded as scheduled.
SRC representatives were in a meeting and could not comment.
The university welcomed Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s announcement on Monday that universities could decide their own fee increases, but that these had to be capped at 8%.
The university was particularly pleased that Nzimande agreed to provide financial help for students from poor, working, and middle class families - those with an annual household income of up to R600 000.
Seshoka said the university council supported fee-free education for the poor. Those who could afford it should pay.
Council will discuss fees for those who could afford it, at a special council meeting on October 14.
News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/ukzn-students-held-constructive-talks-20160920
The university’s council and the Student Representative Council met on Monday to address the grievances behind their ongoing protests, spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said in a statement.
Students wanted representation on the university's executive management committee. Seshoka said council expressed its reservations about this as it was against university’s rules.
The statute did however allow for the SRC to be represented on the council and senate committees.
The academic programme was proceeding as normal. There were no reports of disruptions on the Westville, Howard College, Edgewood, and Medical School campuses. There were some protests on the Pietermaritzburg campus, but lectures were not disrupted.
The university’s security guards and public order police were monitoring all campuses and every effort was being made to ensure the academic programme proceeded as scheduled.
SRC representatives were in a meeting and could not comment.
The university welcomed Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s announcement on Monday that universities could decide their own fee increases, but that these had to be capped at 8%.
The university was particularly pleased that Nzimande agreed to provide financial help for students from poor, working, and middle class families - those with an annual household income of up to R600 000.
Seshoka said the university council supported fee-free education for the poor. Those who could afford it should pay.
Council will discuss fees for those who could afford it, at a special council meeting on October 14.
News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/ukzn-students-held-constructive-talks-20160920