The Democratic Alliance says it is concerned that while the country’s universities continue to be shaken by a seemingly unending stream of protests‚ vandalism and arson‚ the government is hiding behind the old excuse that a Commission of Inquiry is “looking into it”.
This was rather than making bold moves to bring calm and restore teaching‚ learning and research in these vital institutions‚ it stated.
“Universities are crucial to our society and economy. We cannot compromise the future of young South Africans by damaging their chances of a good education – a gateway to employment for them‚ and a part of creating a growing economy more generally‚” said DA spokesperson on higher education and training Prof Belinda Bozzoli.
In the interest of the future of the students it was imperative for government to act expeditiously in order to bring renewed calm to the volatile situation on campuses. The DA supported peaceful protest action which should not be put at risk by rogue elements‚ she added.
“It is for that reason that (Finance) Minister Gordhan‚ as he contemplates his budget‚ must be reminded that although the funding ‘fix’ which the government offered Higher Education towards the end of last year as the #FeesMustFall protests raged‚ has relieved the situation for many students‚ the funding shortfalls in this sector are so huge and so long-standing that the very survival of our Universities is at stake. For it is fundamentally a lack of funding over many years that underlies 90% of these protests.”
Bozzoli called on Gordhan to give Vice-Chancellors the funding that would enable them to address the multiple crises they faced without robbing funding from their own shrinking coffers‚ from other educational sectors‚ or from vital university internal budgets for salaries‚ teaching resources and infrastructure.
Nzimande once again nowhere to be found amid university chaos‚ says DA
The Democratic Alliance says it is concerned that while the country’s universities continue to be shaken by a seemingly unending stream of protests‚ vandalism and arson‚ the government is hiding behind the old excuse that a Commission of Inquiry is “looking into it”.
This was rather than making bold moves to bring calm and restore teaching‚ learning and research in these vital institutions‚ it stated.
“Universities are crucial to our society and economy. We cannot compromise the future of young South Africans by damaging their chances of a good education – a gateway to employment for them‚ and a part of creating a growing economy more generally‚” said DA spokesperson on higher education and training Prof Belinda Bozzoli.
In the interest of the future of the students it was imperative for government to act expeditiously in order to bring renewed calm to the volatile situation on campuses. The DA supported peaceful protest action which should not be put at risk by rogue elements‚ she added.
“It is for that reason that (Finance) Minister Gordhan‚ as he contemplates his budget‚ must be reminded that although the funding ‘fix’ which the government offered Higher Education towards the end of last year as the #FeesMustFall protests raged‚ has relieved the situation for many students‚ the funding shortfalls in this sector are so huge and so long-standing that the very survival of our Universities is at stake. For it is fundamentally a lack of funding over many years that underlies 90% of these protests.”
Bozzoli called on Gordhan to give Vice-Chancellors the funding that would enable them to address the multiple crises they faced without robbing funding from their own shrinking coffers‚ from other educational sectors‚ or from vital university internal budgets for salaries‚ teaching resources and infrastructure.
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