Costly state of education
STUDENTS are having running battles with management at various tertiary institutions throughout the country over increasing fees.
FLASHBACK: Striking students will continue to be part of South African tertiary institutions as long as tuition fees are on the rise, says the South African Students Congress. PHOTO: SINO MAJANGAZA 
FLASHBACK: Striking students will continue to be part of South African tertiary institutions as long as tuition fees are on the rise, says the South African Students Congress. PHOTO: Kopano TlapeThis has raised concerns that rampant increases in tuition fees could eventually make tertiary education inaccessible to most South Africans, thereby undermining the drive to improve skills.
KPMG economist Lulu Kruger said over the past two years universities have increased their fees by 8.5%, way above the current 6% inflation rate.
"Education costs have increased over the inflation rate in the past years, while salaries increased at an inflation rate," she said.
"That means it becomes really difficult for people to send their children to proper schools and universities."
A snap survey of several universities by Sowetan has revealed that for this year the average increase in tuition fees is 9.4 %.
Currently, there is a stand-off between students at the Bellville campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) over increased fees.
Tuition fees at the institution were increased by 11%. The upfront payment increased from R2200 to R3500 for non-residents and from R3400 to R5000 for students in residence.
CPUT vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Staak said that a council decision about fee increases was made in consultation with the student council.
"Factors such as the rising costs of running a university, the financial burden of operating residences and the comparative fees structure at other universities were taken into account," said Staak.
At the University of Venda students have embarked in protest over an increase of late application fees from R190 to R500 and registration fees from R4560 to R5140.
SRC members at the University of North West (Mahikeng campus) have been camping outside the institution demanding the reduction of this year's 12% increase of campus residential fees to 5.7%.
University of Cape Town has increased its fees by 9.8 % for this year.
The university has also increased residential fees by 8.5% and an additional 4% increase for law students to fund the Law Clinic.
UCT's director of admission Carl Herman said the cost for most degree programmes was R16000 for this year - up from R14500 for last year.
UCT also requires an initial payment of R17500 for residence fees on or before February 3.
Registration fees at Witwatersrand University has increased from R7300 last year to R7950 this year.
University of Pretoria's spokesman Sanku Tsunke said their registration fees have increased from R3200 to R3500.
Herman Esterhuizen, spokesman of the University of Johannesburg, said all students, including those whose fees were paid by sponsors or employers, have to pay minimum amounts before registration.
Students at University of Johannesburg have to pay at least R2615 for ICT-levy, application fees and residence deposit before they were registered.
Five days before registration, students staying at residences have to pay R5490 and the ones not at residences pay R3350.
South African Students Congress (Sasco) has called for university fees to be capped.
"We believe that if we are to get free higher education we should firstly cap university fees," said Sasco secretary Themba Masondo, adding that "as long as there are increases, there will be strikes."
Education analyst Mary Metcalfe said the increases affected mostly children from poor backgrounds.
"When poverty operates to exclude from opportunities to achieve their potential, that exclusion creates resentments and undermines social cohesion," Metcalfe said.
"The sense of belonging and being able to make a contribution through ones efforts and aspirations is denied."
The department of Higher Education and Training is investigating whether to regulate university fees. Minister Blade Nzimande has appointed a committee chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate whether fees have to be regulated. The task team started its work last July and has eights months to complete its task.
dimpho_4U
11% increase tjo,tertiary education has become so expensive ... "UCT also requires an initial payment of R17500 for residence fees on or before February 3"Wits registration fees R7950 aprox R 8000!!!(that's some1 salary) ..people should opt for universities of technologies(former technikons) or colleges and stop stressing parents...times are tough people,strikes wont even solve such conditions
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sekhebereshe
making it more difficult for our black brothers and sisters to obtain their qualifications...sabotage!Report Abuse
PleaseGetReal
sekhebereshemaking it more difficult for our black brothers and sisters to obtain their qualifications...sabotage!
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and this by the black brothers and sisters, if they did not steal so much money, more money could be spent on education to lower costs.
OUT WITH THE ANC
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dimpho_4U
i have to agree with @sekhebereshe,they rise the level so high,that it restricts or doesnt accomadate the lower working class people...and then some punk called @PleaseGetReal,says its because we steal money..conclusion IS, there will never be equality in OUR COUNTRY,,There average black man will always be subjected to second - class living,education etc
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PleaseGetReal
dimpho_4UThere average black man will always be subjected to second - class living,education etc
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Why is this, how could you speak for all black people, why would they not want to better themselves?
Do they want to be subjected to second?
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dimpho_4U
my comment says "the average" black man,.... research has shown that in" 2010 there were 2 502 285 (mil)people living on less than $2 (R25) a day in South Africa. This equated to 5% of the population."meaning the majority still survive on R25 a day,how can they afford R8000 upfront payment for university...
I know our generation is slowly changing this,but majority is still poverty stricken, uneducated and lack basic necessities for living(primary healthare) etc
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PleaseGetReal
Imagine if 10 billion of the money that was stolen by the government was properly implemented. With 10 million of that 10 billion you could support 50 schools with R200 000.R200 000 could make a lot of difference in the infrastructure of the school.
Imagine if 5 billion was used for subsidies for school pupils who perform.
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dimpho_4U
fact is i dont understand how the 10 billion stolen from the government correlates with equal educational opportunities for all ??!Report Abuse
PleaseGetReal
dimpho_4Ufact is i dont understand how the 10 billion stolen from the government correlates with equal educational opportunities for all ??!
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It was actually more than 20 billion, but let me explain, you will never get you average person's child (black or white) into expensive institutes unless they perform and get subsidies. Where are they supposed to perform, on school level.
If you do not have equipment how can one work, imagine if the stolen money was used for the upkeep and upgrades of schools more kids would have the chance to perform and more kids would have the chance to get subsidies.
The stolen money could be used for both, but the anc government is so lining their pockets and do not want the education system to be a success because if the kids get a good education and knows the meaning of lies, theft and corruption, it will mean the end of the anc.
Money = good schools and University subsidies,
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dimpho_4U
Look,everyone wants financial freedom,good life etc but comments like "money stolen from the government" should make certain races be subjected to harsh conditions in order to make up for the corruption in government....i think this is sabotage, actually the aftermath of the apartheid regime...well,those who can afford,go ahead..was speaking on behalf of the average who also matter in this countryReport Abuse