Wits students protest over tuition fee increase

[Nokkie]

Why? There are thousands of students who are capable of actually doing their degrees, they just need the financial resources.

And if it were free it would actually give many students something to shoot for. I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of pupils who don't really bother that hard with their schoolwork because they know they don't have the option of doing anything after matric anyway.

Education should be earned. This practically means a hobbo can become a student... Tax will go up and more strikes will take place.

 

[Necropolis]

Why?

Have you seen all the stats about the shocking state of education in this country?

 

[Sinbad]

Education should be earned. This practically means a hobbo can become a student... Tax will go up and more strikes will take place.

Education should be earned by performance and ability. No reason a hobo can't be a student if he works hard and does well.

Failure, however, should result in some kind of penalty.

 

[Necropolis]

Failure, however, should result in some kind of penalty.

Was thinking this as well.

Like the government should cover your first try - if you don't get through then you need to find a way to cover all subsequent attempts.

 

[Nokkie]

Was thinking this as well.

Like the government should cover your first try - if you don't get through then you need to find a way to cover all subsequent attempts.

I like this. But will the students really understand this concept?

 

[Necropolis]

I like this. But will the students really understand this concept?

It's not a difficult concept to grasp - "We've got you covered as long as you pass, fail and you're on your own"

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Education should be earned. This practically means a hobbo can become a student... Tax will go up and more strikes will take place.

What? Explain your reasoning, please.

Have you seen all the stats about the shocking state of education in this country?

Yes, so what? You're not addressing what I said. There are still thousands and thousands of pupils that graduate with a decent enough education to be able to succeed in tertiary institutions.

And you're asking tertiary students to change the change protest from something that directly affects them to something else. Makes no sense, even if it's a good idea in the bigger picture.

Education should be earned by performance and ability. No reason a hobo can't be a student if he works hard and does well.

Failure, however, should result in some kind of penalty.

Was thinking this as well.

Like the government should cover your first try - if you don't get through then you need to find a way to cover all subsequent attempts.

That's already how it works with NSFAS. They reward you if you do well, by (partly) converting your loan into a bursary, and if you don't perform you don't get further loans.

 

[Necropolis]

And you're asking tertiary students to change the change protest from something that directly affects them to something else. Makes no sense, even if it's a good idea in the bigger picture.

Well I've seen it reported that they are calling for "Free education in our lifetime" - the majority are not deluded enough to think that the ANC is going to make education free over-night.

 

[FoXtroT]

Well I've seen it reported that they are calling for "Free education in our lifetime" - the majority are not deluded enough to think that the ANC is going to make education free over-night.

They say "free education in our lifetime" but for many it seems that is within the next couple of months. At least thats what I gather from many of the 'leaders' at UCT.

 

[ellyally]

Before universities are 'free', going to have to build many more. As it is, every year we have people in tears, kicking and screaming cos even though they can afford it(loans/'privileged'/whatever), there is no room for them. Before we can build, need to get rid of the parasites in government looting all the money. The money does exist, no need for taxes to go up etc, just need to stop it being intercepted by those in power. Until people decide to vote ANC out, nothing will change. All hot air and broken promises fuelled by gravy

 

[Humberto]

If tertiary education were free, universities would be overrun with applications most of which would have to be rejected simply because universities don't have the infrastructure to support such student numbers. In fact, university infrastructure - including at top universities - is already stretched. Entrance requirements will be raised as a means to restrict the number of students who qualify to get into the university. The next protest will then be over "exclusionary" and "anti-black" academic entrance requirements.

 

[Sinbad]

That's already how it works with NSFAS. They reward you if you do well, by (partly) converting your loan into a bursary, and if you don't perform you don't get further loans.

So then what exactly is the problem these guys have?

 

[OrbitalDawn]

If tertiary education were free, universities would be overrun with applications most of which would have to be rejected simply because universities don't have the infrastructure to support such student numbers. In fact, university infrastructure - including at top universities - is already stretched. Entrance requirements will be raised as a means to restrict the number of students who qualify to get into the university. The next protest will then be over "exclusionary" and "anti-black" academic entrance requirements.

That's already happening. Don't you remember when UJ had something like 100k applications for first year, where they can accommodate 5k at most?

 

[Stefanmuller]

Why? There are thousands of students who are capable of actually doing their degrees, they just need the financial resources.

And if it were free it would actually give many students something to shoot for. I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot of pupils who don't really bother that hard with their schoolwork because they know they don't have the option of doing anything after matric anyway.

Then go to Unisa and get your degree if you can't afford R40-R90k per year. We dont see people protesting against Unisa fees where 400 000 students currently study. Yet they are protesting against the high fees of resident universities. Who cater for 30 000 students each and they continue to throw the cost of koshuis accommodation in there. You can get the same degree for a fraction of a price through Unisa and also have the option to work while studying and support yourself or family if you have to.

Its like protesting for affordable housing but demanding a 5 bedroom mansion when you already have an affordable option for a 3 bed townhouse. Not that I think a Unisa degree is worth significantly less than one from UCT or Stellies, but I am comparing the cost here.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

So then what exactly is the problem these guys have?

Lots of problems with NSFAS itself.

http://citizen.co.za/831202/heres-how-you-fund-university-education/

A 2010 ministerial review of NSFAS identified major problems in the way it works. Of the students who it funds who have left university, 72% drop out without a degree, making repayments difficult. The reasons for that poor performance are many, including that the funding is insufficient to allow students to fully focus on their studies. The weak family support structure for such students, given that they often come from environments with little experience of tertiary education, is part of the problem, as is the quality of their preparation in high school. Students are also financially vulnerable in that NSFAS funding seldom covers the full cost of tuition or living costs. NSFAS was also beset by administrative problems, receiving qualified audits and battling to administer applications and track borrowers.

 

[Gnarls]

So then what exactly is the problem these guys have?

http://www.timeslive.co.za/ilive/20...mnesty-International-university-groups-iLIVE#

We would like to express our support to the nationwide #FeesMustFall movement.

The right to education, including higher education, is a human right. International human rights law and the South African constitution puts an obligation on the state to progressively make higher education more accessible to everyone.

By raising university fees without accounting for the decrease in access, the state is neglecting this obligation. The fee increase exacerbates the academic exclusion of poor and working class students. It may constitute a human rights violation and it may be unconstitutional.

According to the Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Funding of Universities, funding per student fell 1.1% between 2000 and 2010. The tuitions fees for students increased by 2.5% annually in the same period.

Both figures are in real terms. The state budget for funding of higher education, as a percentage of GDP, is below the average in Africa. Higher education is integral in combating poverty and inequality, and it is essential for the full development of the human personality and for human dignity.

If university education is restricted to the wealthy elite, then universities will fail in their duty to redress South Africa's historical injustices and address the staggering wealth inequality. It is unacceptable for our education system to only serve a privileged minority of society. We therefore denounce the fee hike. We express our support to the #FeesMustFall movement as one that aims to achieve social justice and defends the right to education.

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), one out of the two main pillars of international human rights law, and ratified by South Africa in January this year, states in article 13(c) that ?higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education.?

The South African Constitution, in Section 29(1) of the Bill of Rights, affirms that "everyone has the right to further education which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible."

Instead of making education progressively available and accessible, the decision to increase fees is reducing the access to higher education. We believe the government and university administrations around the country are failing in their duty the many affected students.

Students have the right to peacefully protest against the fee increase being proposed by their respective colleges. The right to freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of expression protects the rights of protestors. We commend all the brave students and others who are exercising their right to legitimately protest. We urge students and other activists to continue in the tradition of peaceful protest and appeal to the student leadership to ensure that protests remain peaceful.

We condemn the unacceptable excessive use of force by the police and private security contractors in dealing with the protests. The measures of riot police ? tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, stun grenades, and wanton arrest ? should never be used on peaceful protesters. As the joint bodies of Amnesty International university branches in South Africa, we call on the government, the police, and the university administrations to do everything in their power to protect students? rights in their protests.

We call on the Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to release the No Fees Varsity Report which highlights South Africa's ability to provide free tertiary education for the poor. The process around deciding the budget for tertiary education funding needs to be streamlined and inclusive to award all deserving students the opportunity to change our country.

Finally, we call on Minister Nzimande and vice-chancellors around the country to listen to the plight of their students and stop criminalising those who are demanding what is guaranteed to them by international human rights law and the South African Constitution - an education.

Signed, Amnesty International chapters at:

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

University of Cape Town

University of KwaZulu-Natal

University of Pretoria

University of Venda

University of Witwatersrand

Higher education is not accessible to all.

 

[Sinbad]

The right to education, including higher education, is a human right. International human rights law and the South African constitution puts an obligation on the state to progressively make higher education more accessible to everyone.

This is a false statement and thus invalidates the premise of the entire piece.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Then go to Unisa and get your degree if you can't afford R40-R90k per year. We dont see people protesting against Unisa fees where 400 000 students currently study. Yet they are protesting against the high fees of resident universities. Who cater for 30 000 students each and they continue to throw the cost of koshuis accommodation in there. You can get the same degree for a fraction of a price through Unisa and also have the option to work while studying and support yourself or family if you have to.

Its like protesting for affordable housing but demanding a 5 bedroom mansion when you already have an affordable option for a 3 bed townhouse. Not that I think a Unisa degree is worth significantly less than one from UCT or Stellies, but I am comparing the cost here.

I'm not comfortable with acquiescing to the idea that public universities throughout the country becoming inaccessible to the vast majority of the populace is inevitable. I think young people should have the option of being full-time students at these institutions.

Many fields of study aren't offered at Unisa, and most are not of the same quality and international credibility.

 

[Patrick_Hockstetter]

What about praying for those people the students have violated, injured, damaged property, cost wages, stolen from etc?

It will detract from the agenda.