Fees commission hearings resume in Pretoria

The commission was appointed by President Jacob Zuma at the end of last year in answer to students' 'Fees Must Fall' protest. 

The commission resumed public hearings in Pretoria after it had suspended proceedings due to disruptions by some student groupings.

The Private Higher Education Interest Group (PHEIG) made its submission and said it believed those students who can afford to pay must do so.

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PHEIG's Felicity Coughlan said 15 private higher education institutions in the group - including Milpark, the Da Vinci Institute, Monash and Boston College - are considering a fee increase of 6 percent for the 2017 academic year.

"The no fee increment was mentioned by one of our members. Most of our members are having to increase fees, because of the cost increases. Ours are averaging at the Independent Institute of Education between 5 percent and 6 percent," she said.

Meanwhile, UNISA said free higher education in the long run is not sustainable at the moment.

Vice Chancellor Mandla Makhanya said in his presentation that universities will require assistance.

"We have to inject the necessary resources so that we are guaranteed about its future. If we don't move in that direction, universities will be at risk unless Treasury is willing to support us. Short-term to medium-term, one we've experienced sustainability, then we are saying the future is bright," Makhanya said.