South Africa’s universities will extend the examination periods for students following days of protest against proposed tuition fee hikes.
A meeting between President Jacob Zuma, student leaders, Cabinet ministers, and vice chancellors was held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday as thousands of students gathered a few metres away, demanding no fee increases for 2016.
Witwatersrand University Vice Chancellor and Principal Adam Habib said the parties made various proposals to government.
These included the immediate establishment of a commission to look into restructuring the entire higher education system, including fee increases, subsidies and cost drivers.
Also, that the presidential task team attend to the plight of students in debt and increase funding for financial aid, and ensure that poor students have free access to quality higher education.
Regarding issues affecting university staff, the parties proposed that a separate commission be established to address outsourcing practices regarding staff and services at the institutions.
The meeting lasted several hours and after intense debate and deliberation between all stakeholders, President Zuma announced a zero percent increase in fees for 2016. University vice chancellors will extend the time for the examinations period to compensate for time lost.
Police fired rubber bullets at students and journalists outside the Union Buildings just after Zuma’s brief announcement yesterday, injuring several people, including an african news agency reporter.
