Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has expressed concern over the violence of student protests at several universities in the country, including Wits.
This is as students at Wits vow to intensify their protest over funding on Monday if their demands are not met.
In a statement issued on Saturday after a meeting with the University of South Africa (Usaf), Nzimande condemned the violence during the student protests.
Also read: Wits students clash with police and guards as protests continue
Wits protest ‘unacceptable’
“Violent protests are unacceptable and do not provide a solution to student problems.
“To solve the problem, using the internal mechanism of the university, the meeting agreed that all institutions should hold a meeting quickly through forums such as Institutional Forum and student leaders, to solve all the outstanding registration challenges,” he said. Nzimande.
Call to return to class
Nzimande urged all students to return to class so that they can start the academic year without disruption.
“I also want to urge all student leaders who have been separated from various internal engagements with the institution’s management to return to engagements,” Nzimande said.
Meanwhile, the meeting discussed many other issues facing higher education institutions which include the late release of matric results as well as security.
Delayed result matrix
“The meeting also discussed the implications to the Post School Education and Training sector of the delay in the release of matriculation exam results and its impact on the overall readiness for the start of the academic year and this includes NSFAS’s decision to open the application process until January 31 to complete the first university and TVET students.
“This decision has resulted in delays in the confirmation of funding decisions by non-SASSA NSFAS beneficiaries,” Nzimande said.
He said the meeting agreed that the Director General of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinthi Sishi, would engage with his counterpart in the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to discuss this issue going forward.
Wits protests ignite a call for a task force
Nzimande reiterated the announcement made in a statement on the occasion of the killing of Mr. Mboneli Vesele of Fort Hare University, that the Department of Higher Education and Training will set up a Task Force that will look into our security and safety. institution.
The Task Force will work closely with the Cabinet Security Cluster, according to Nzimande.
“The Department of Higher Education and Training is also considering the report commissioned through the University of Zululand to look at the safety and security of the campus and the report will be shared with all the Vice Chancellors,” Nzimande said.
Also read: Cele sets up task force to investigate Fort Hare attack