It is totally unacceptable for students to embark on protest action against the administrations of institutions of higher education and training because they do not want those who have spent more years studying for a degree than passing, to be excluded.
"It cannot be acceptable for one to be allowed to spend seven years in an institution trying to complete a three-year degree and filling up a space that could have been otherwise used by another younger deserving learner who wants to access higher education," Minister Nzimande said.
Minister for Higher Education and Training, Dr BE Nzimande, said this while delivering his keynote address to about 300 key stakeholders of the department who attended the Eastern Cape leg of the Minister’s national road-show to engage stake-holders on the National Skills Development Strategy 111 at the East London City Hall.
"In instances where there is unfair exclusion, we are prepared as the department to intervene and engage the institution so that the particular circumstances of the student can be taken into consideration. No poor student who has performed academically should be excluded on financial grounds," he said.
"In the same breath, we encourage the administrations of the institutions themselves and student leadership within the sector, to create the space for engagement so that we may find amicable solutions to these things, for the greater good of our country" Minister Nzimande said.
Minister Nzimande emphasized that the department unambiguously condemned and discouraged protests that are marked by violent and illegal actions, where facilities are even vandalised.
"The longer you stay within the system beyond the allowable minimum period for a degree, the greater the problem you are creating for other potential students coming out of the schooling system, wanting to access higher education and training. Allowing a student to spend more years in an institution failing rather than passing would not be acceptable in any country anywhere else in the world," said the Minister to deafening applause.
Studying for a degree beyond its period clogs the system, deprives learners of access
