The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) issued a statement on Tuesday lambasting the Department of Higher Education and Training for failing universities by leaving them to their own fate.
According to SRC Chairperson Paul Maritz this is thus not a conflict between students and the University, but a cry for help from a large group of students who feel government has let them down.
He says many students nationwide cannot afford a fee increase, and adds universities are also in a difficult position because they are buckling under financial pressure.
“Between R25 billion and R30 billion a year gets lost to corruption and the tender processes. And yet, the same government can’t give us R2.5 billion to cover the fee increments that are going to be necessary. The main player should come to the party. By giving a decent amount of money to universities, a fee increment of 8% or even 1% won’t be necessary,” he said.
Dane Beisheim/Courant News
