The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training and the Select Committee on Education are on a week-long joint visit to Gauteng, where they are engaging various stakeholders in the sector, including student leaders, regulatory and statutory bodies, as well as parents on plans to save the academic year.
The Committees received a briefing from Universities South Africa about the negative impact of the protests and the vandalism that has been associated with them. Professor Ahmed Bawa of Universities South Africa said the cost of the protests continues to rise.
He informed the committees that a plan to save the academic year should be tailored to suit the circumstances at each university, as some universities had not been affected significantly, such as the University of Stellenbosch and the Walter Sisulu University.
The committees raised concerns about the police’s ability to control students, but expressed their appreciation for the role parent and faith-based organisations continue to play in achieving stability and dialogue.
“While more universities are functioning, some are experiencing severe and different challenges. Giving attention to the missing middle is a move in the correct direction,” said co-Chairpersons Ms Connie September and Ms Lungelwa Zwane.
“Normalising relationships between university vice chancellors and students is crucial. Society must ensure that the trust deficit does not become a permanent feature at university campuses,” they said.
The oversight visit continues until Friday.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
