Cosatu backs 2017 fees announcement
The Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) on Monday said it is pleased with the
announcement by Higher Education and Training Minister
Blade Ndzimande on the 2017 fee increments at universities.
Ndzimande this morning announced that universities will have to decide on their own individual fee increments for 2017 the 2017 academic year, but urged institutions to not exceed 8 percent.
Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla says they welcome the minister’s statement that students funded by the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), loans and the missing middle will be subsidised by government.
“We welcome government’s efforts to resolve this issue and agree with the proposed fee increase that will only be focused on those who can afford to pay,” he said.
Also read: Students shut down Wits over fees announcement
Students at Wits University, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Tshwane University of Technology and others embarked on protest action following the announcement.
Pamla urged students to further engage with the minister and to look closely at what Nzimande said during his announcement.
“There is a process underway helping to look at free education. The minister said those who cannot afford will be assisted. Students have to be pragmatic in how they deal with these issues,” he said.
Edited by Sune du Toit