Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma said a vicious chain reaction would be set in motion if the academic year was suspended because of protests over fees.
Next year’s university students would be negatively affected, especially at entrance level, Zuma said at the Higher Education Stakeholder Summit in Kempton Park on Monday.
“We are not just gambling with the futures of the current generation of students, we are compromising the future of coming generations, and indeed the country,” Zuma said.
“We do not agree with those who say the future of our youth and the future of our country must be put on hold.”
The president pleaded with the Department of Higher Education and university students to find long-lasting solutions to the fee increment issues that have brought the academic programme across the country to a grinding halt.
He emphasised the need for dialogue to prevail, saying that education was a societal issue and that students’ future should not be held to ransom.
Zuma urged stakeholders – among them business leaders, labour, the faith-based sector, students, parents and university management – to draw on the collective wisdom of all towards finding a solution.
He reiterated that government was committed to doing everything possible to progressively make higher education more affordable for all, and to be fee-free for the poor and the working class.
“Government cannot work alone to find a solution. Universities cannot find a solution working alone either. We need to work together for the sake of the future as a country and as a nation,” Zuma said.
“Education is the apex priority in our country. It is a powerful weapon at our disposal, to change our country for the better. It is a powerful weapon to produce the kind of skills that will help us achieve socio-economic transformation and prosperity.”
The Higher Education Stakeholder Summit is a one-day gathering to find an immediate solution to the higher education crisis while the Fees Commission continues its investigation into the feasibility of free higher education in the country.
Universities across the country have been plunged into a state of paralysis since announcement by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande that tertiary institutions could hike their fees for 2017, but not more than eight percent.
Government also committed to paying the fee increases for next year on behalf of all poor, working class and “missing middle” families – those with a household income of up to R600 000 per annum.
The move would require the government to fork out an additional R2.5 billion to cover the resultant shortfall of income at state universities.
This means that students qualifying for help from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme “missing middle” students – an estimated 75 percent of the student population – would be spared fee increases in 2017.
Zuma said this was not the time for grand-standing, but a period of sound leadership from all of concerned to find solutions.
“We run the risk of a whole academic year being wasted if parents, students, university management and all stakeholders do not act now. That is why this meeting is so important,” Zuma said.
“Together, let us find a solution that will strengthen our universities, and not which will destroy them.”
Zuma also condemned violent students protests, saying that government disagreed with those who say that universities should be shut down while these solutions were being sought.
“We also do not agree that university infrastructure must be destroyed to send a message to government that education is too expensive in the country,” Zuma said.
“The wanton destruction of university property that we have witnessed are shocking criminal acts. The problems of education funding can never justify the violence and destruction, including the loss of human life and injury.”
A worker died at Wits University after inhaling fumes from a fire extinguisher during a students protest two weeks ago.
Another worker, who is a security guard, is fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked by students at the University of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal.
Zuma said government has directed police to arrest those who were using the genuine grievances of students to commit serious crimes on campuses.
Zuma’s speech attracted some negative comments on social media.
#FeesImbizo Student leaders bring the #FeesForum to a halt, make demands that "Zuma must come back" @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/CfElIokGTY
— Sphelele (@SpheDludla) October 3, 2016
Why did the President leave #FeesForum? What is more important than #FeesMustFall crisis? This is 2016 ANC.
— Ashley Mendelowitz (@AshMendelo) October 3, 2016
I'm flabbergasted that students at the #FeesForum actually thought that Zuma cares. ANC business takes priority, baby.
— Karabo Mophiring (@karabomophiring) October 3, 2016
Pres Zuma's stunt shows that we have a leadership crisis in this country 😥. #FeesForum #FeesMustFall
— lm (@_lethabo17) October 3, 2016
African News Agency