Students at the University of Cape Town say if their calls for free education continue to fall on deaf ears they will rally for mass action and take their battle to Parliament‚ the National Treasury and the Union Buildings.
UCT’s SRC noted Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande’s fees announcement on Monday as a “positive step” but said he did not go far enough.
“The minister has indicated that NSFAS and ‘Missing Middle’ students will not be paying a fee increase for 2017. That is anybody who is currently on Financial Aid (NSFAS & GAP) at UCT and any potential applicants whose family income is below R600 000. What does this look like in numbers?” asked the SRC?
Giving a breakdown of UCT Financial Aid numbers‚ the SRC said it would affect: NSFAS recipients: 2‚825; GAP (Missing Middle): 899. The total number of students qualifying for a 0% fee increment would be 3‚724.
“Although this is a positive step‚ we remain dissatisfied by the Ministers lack of attention to the resounding call for Free Education in our lifetime. We are strongly opposed to the Minster’s absolving of government responsibility in ensuring university councils do not go above the 8% mentioned especially evidenced by the lack of a clear plan to ensure all those who qualify for a zero% will access it. It is uncertain what this means for African International students particularly from the SADC regions.
“We call upon the President of the Republic to change the mandate of the Presidential Commission from a question of ‘feasibility’ to that of ‘How do we implement Free Higher Education’. The current lens of the Commission does not ensure a clear commitment from the state to the realization of greater access to higher education but allows for a way out which may result in the poor‚ Black child waning.
If the President continues to ignore this call‚ we will join others to rally for mass action and take our battle to the foot of Parliament‚ National Treasury and the Union Buildings‚” said SRC president Rorisang Moseli.
There was a heavy police presence on the campus earlier on Monday‚ ahead of a planned mass meeting of students.
Tina Hsu posted images of the students on twitter‚ saying: “#FeesMustFall supporters continue mobilising at various #UCT residences. Mass meeting may be slightly delayed.”
Disrupting–Whiteness tweeted a video of police at a campus entrance: “Massive police presence at UCT before mass meeting #BringBackOurCadres”
UCT students vow to march on Parliament for free education
Students at the University of Cape Town say if their calls for free education continue to fall on deaf ears they will rally for mass action and take their battle to Parliament‚ the National Treasury and the Union Buildings.
UCT’s SRC noted Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande’s fees announcement on Monday as a “positive step” but said he did not go far enough.
“The minister has indicated that NSFAS and ‘Missing Middle’ students will not be paying a fee increase for 2017. That is anybody who is currently on Financial Aid (NSFAS & GAP) at UCT and any potential applicants whose family income is below R600 000. What does this look like in numbers?” asked the SRC?
Giving a breakdown of UCT Financial Aid numbers‚ the SRC said it would affect: NSFAS recipients: 2‚825; GAP (Missing Middle): 899. The total number of students qualifying for a 0% fee increment would be 3‚724.
“Although this is a positive step‚ we remain dissatisfied by the Ministers lack of attention to the resounding call for Free Education in our lifetime. We are strongly opposed to the Minster’s absolving of government responsibility in ensuring university councils do not go above the 8% mentioned especially evidenced by the lack of a clear plan to ensure all those who qualify for a zero% will access it. It is uncertain what this means for African International students particularly from the SADC regions.
“We call upon the President of the Republic to change the mandate of the Presidential Commission from a question of ‘feasibility’ to that of ‘How do we implement Free Higher Education’. The current lens of the Commission does not ensure a clear commitment from the state to the realization of greater access to higher education but allows for a way out which may result in the poor‚ Black child waning.
If the President continues to ignore this call‚ we will join others to rally for mass action and take our battle to the foot of Parliament‚ National Treasury and the Union Buildings‚” said SRC president Rorisang Moseli.
There was a heavy police presence on the campus earlier on Monday‚ ahead of a planned mass meeting of students.
Tina Hsu posted images of the students on twitter‚ saying: “#FeesMustFall supporters continue mobilising at various #UCT residences. Mass meeting may be slightly delayed.”
Disrupting–Whiteness tweeted a video of police at a campus entrance: “Massive police presence at UCT before mass meeting #BringBackOurCadres”
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