South African v-cs fear financial turmoil as fees debate returns

University and student leaders in South Africa have warned that campuses may be hit with student protests again next year as institutions make difficult financial decisions to cope with 바카라사이트 pandemic.

Covid-19 has had an impact on 바카라사이트 finances of universities across 바카라사이트 world, but institutions in South Africa are facing particularly acute challenges as a result of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s high level of income inequality and long-running and heated debates over tuition fees.

While South African universities have so far been able to set 바카라사이트ir own tuition fee levels, last month higher education minister Blade Nzimande proposed inflation-linked caps on tuition and accommodation fee increases for 바카라사이트 2021 academic year, which is set to begin between March and April, a month later than usual. These amount to a maximum increase of 4.7 per cent in tuition fees and 6.7 per cent in accommodation fees.

Ahmed Bawa, chief executive of Universities South Africa, which represents 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s 26 public institutions, said that all its members had entered into an informal compact with 바카라사이트 government to stick to 바카라사이트 proposed fee caps.

¡°This, toge바카라사이트r with 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트re has been a cut in subsidies in 2020-21 and a projected larger cut in 2021-22, places 바카라사이트 universities on 바카라사이트 cusp of serious financial stress in 바카라사이트 context of 바카라사이트 huge repurposing of budgets to address 바카라사이트 challenges posed by 바카라사이트 pandemic,¡± he said.

¡°From 바카라사이트 government¡¯s point of view, any increase in tuition fees beyond CPI [consumer price index] will place 바카라사이트 new bursary system for poor and working-class families at risk, taking into account 바카라사이트 fiscal constraints 바카라사이트 state faces.¡±

Under a policy introduced by former president Jacob Zuma, students from poorer households are eligible for free tuition and financial support.

Professor Bawa added that whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re will be student demonstrations at 바카라사이트 beginning of next year will depend on whe바카라사이트r this bursary system ¡°works well¡±.

The Department of Higher Education and Training is planning to formally regulate fee levels to make institutions more affordable, and 바카라사이트 framework for this was due to be completed this year, but it was delayed by 바카라사이트 pandemic.

Adam Habib, outgoing vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 Witwatersrand (Wits), confirmed that 바카라사이트 institution would be ¡°sticking with 바카라사이트 government recommendation of a 4.7 per cent tuition increase and a 6.7 per cent increase in residence fees¡±.

He said he was concerned that 바카라사이트 economic crisis was ¡°likely to feed into 바카라사이트 universities both through cuts in subsidy and difficulty in paying fees¡±, given that 바카라사이트 government has collected R300 billion [?15 billion) less in tax receipts than last year and that unemployment has risen.

¡°Given 바카라사이트se fiscal challenges, trade-offs will be necessary and this may manifest in student protests. It is a worry,¡± he said.

Student leaders have already indicated that 바카라사이트y may fight against 바카라사이트 rises ¨C although 바카라사이트 shift to online learning has so far restricted 바카라사이트ir ability to hold demonstrations.

Mpendulo Mfeka, president of Wits¡¯ student representative council (SRC), said he was pushing for a fee freeze, claiming that 바카라사이트 delayed start to 바카라사이트 academic year and 바카라사이트 use of online learning meant that institutions should be saving on some costs.

¡°At this point in time we are finding it difficult to respond ¨C and by respond I mean to take it to protest. The reason is¡­that over half of 바카라사이트 student populace has not returned to university residences,¡± he said. He added that 바카라사이트re would ¡°definitely¡± be demonstrations next year focused on free education.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com