Students at the University of Witwatersrand have started a protest over announcements from the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande announced a fee increase for the 2017 academic session.
He was recommending an 8% cap for higher learning institutions come 2017.
Students gathered at the University entrance and prevented movement into and out of the university demanding that education be made free for all.
University authorities have however, said that school activities will continue even as they urged the students not to engage in violent protests.
President of the student’s council had urged the student to continue with the peaceful protests to see if the school is shut down temporarily.
Last year, fees remained steady as a result of fees-must-fall protests after a proposed fee increment. Nzimande says that fees did increase by 6% however, the state had cushioned the effects of the increase.
He insists the responsibility of increasing the fees still rests solely with the university.
Students have been calling for fees to be frozen in all higher education institutions while the fees commission does its work.
Apart from Nzimande’s consultations with a range of stakeholders‚ a presidential fees commission headed by Justice Jonathan Heher is looking into the feasibility of free higher education and training. It is expected to submit a preliminary report to President Jacob Zuma in November and a full report in June.
