“Students” I implore you to please take stock and evaluate what has transpired since the FEESMUSTFALL initiative was started. In 2015 this ground breaking initiative set out to tackle the high cost of Tertiary education garnering tremendous support achieving tremendous success. A presidential commission was setup to advise on systemic and long-term measures to make tertiary education more accessible to the poor and working class, the president announced there will not be an increase in fees for 2016 and numerous other demands were met or looked in to.
Fast-forward to Sept 2016 our Education minister made an announcement MAJORITY of our students will be exempt from fee increases speaking to poor students and missing middle. It also highlighted the Presidential commission will advise on way forward in 2017 with regards to long term plan. Students immediately resort to closing down universities, disrupting studies, destroying university infrastructure in the name of Free Education.
One would think these students would have the intellect to understand they are doing more damage than good for the students and themselves by resorting to such actions. The very same Student Leaders who started the initiative should take responsibility, stand up and manage situation and not make unrealistic demands in light of the economic constraints and the concerted effort government and tertiary institutions have made towards finding a solution. The Media must shoulder a lot of the blame by continuously highlighting an 8% increase will most probably be passed on to students whilst neglecting to highlight and make very little mention of the fact majority of students will not be affected by an increase. Instead of assisting in managing situation and supporting the efforts of Universities and government and numerous other parties to find a sustainable situation it instead spurs minority of students to go on the rampage, causing more harm than good to the silent majority of students who do not want to be a part of this movement. Any one person blurting a ridiculous statement makes headlines but his/her statement is not the view of the majority. Others are using this as a platform to boost their own personal or political profiles losing sight of the actual damage being caused in the process. Studies, exams, qualifications, universities holding back on key projects/implementations for betterment of universities are suffering. Ultimately the students will suffer and so will the value of our institutions. Those who can afford to, will still be able to study elsewhere whilst those who demand entitlement to free tertiary education will ultimately suffer in the long term. If there was ever a time for a real leader to emerge amongst students to unify everyone to achieve a solution that will benefit everyone moving forward without this madness it is NOW. If students conduct themselves in this manner ultimately the students themselves will be the LOSERS!