Universities South Africa (USAf) said higher education institutions were struggling to tackle student debt, forcing them to take measures that resulted in a flare-up of student protests.
In recent weeks, students have resorted to protests at the University of Free State (UFS) and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
Both universities have proposed measures to reduce institutional debt, including an end to provisional registration at UFS and higher tuition and accommodation costs at CPUT.
USAf CEO Doctor Phetiwe Matutu said universities are unable to control high student debt.
“That student debt comes from two sources: one is the missing middle; the students who cannot pay the school fees, and the second is the NSFAS students.”
Matutu said the government has failed to provide comprehensive financing to students who cannot afford tuition fees.
“It usually happens at the beginning of the year, because there is hope that clarity will come. That is the reason… It is the inefficiencies that in most cases lie outside the universities.”
Both UFS and CPUT have now made agreements with students to resume academic activities at the universities.
Carlo Petersen
www.ewn.co.za