Nzimande concerned over escalating student protests
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande on Thursday said he has noted with concern the calls from some students for no fee increase for everyone for the 2017 academic year.
Nzimande said he is equally concerned by the escalating violent protests taking place, particularly at the University of Witwatersrand.
"Minister Nzimande believes that these calls are not in the interest of the viability of our universities and TVET colleges, let alone the poor and the working class students," his office said in a statement.
The minister said he acknowledges that university students have the right to protest, but they have a duty to do so peacefully and in a manner that respects both the rights and property of others.
"We need to remind all students that the destruction of property and the disruption of the academic programme does not address legitimate concerns of students. As the Minister, I will not wait on the side-lines for any further damage to property, injuries to students or ultimately loss of life to occur before acting against violent campuses. Equally the demands of students need to take into consideration that government has made massive investments into higher education and that there are other competing government priorities which require funding", Nzimande said.
Nzimande said government appeals to all students, parents and the higher education sector to give the Presidential Commission of inquiry into higher education funding a chance to do its work so that it can help find a permanent solution to make higher education accessible to the poor.
The Commission is expected to conclude its work during the 2017 academic year.