One of the main goals of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande was to ensure a smooth start to the 2024 academic year. Several measures were taken to ensure that learning got underway at universities, however, protests have been observed at several universities.
Students around the country have been grappling with a myriad of challenges ranging from funding delays to student protests. As the academic year kicks into high gear, institutions across the nation are working tirelessly to navigate these turbulent waters and ensure the smooth operation of academic activities.
At the heart of the issue lies delays in the disbursement of funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Thousands of university and TVET students have been left in limbo as they await much-needed financial support. While NSFAS expects to fund more than a million students in 2024, these students only technically receive funding once their registration data is uploaded to the NSFAS database by their institution.
Delays and challenges with registration could and have had disastrous consequences for students who could not register. Their inability to register meant that they did not have access to money for accommodation, food and transportation.
The situation reached a boiling point at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), where violent protests erupted following delays in NSFAS allowance payments, resulting in significant damage to university property.
Work is underway to ensure that allowances are paid to eligible students at the university.
Similarly, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has been rocked by student protests, with grievances ranging from NSFAS allowance delays to concerns over inadequate residence spaces and registration processes.
The unrest underscores the mounting frustrations felt by students who rely on financial assistance to pursue their academic goals.
The KZN Premier's Office has convened a meeting of all KZN universities to develop a joint strategy and response to further disruptions around our campuses
Meanwhile, labour disputes have added another layer of complexity to the situation. At the University of Pretoria (UP), negotiations over salary increases reached a deadlock, leading to tensions between university management and staff members.
Efforts to find common ground have so far proved fruitless, leaving the university community in a state of uncertainty. UP has Interdicted workers on strike to ensure teaching and learning were not disrupted.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) continues to grapple with accommodation shortages and delays in appeals processing, further exacerbating the challenges faced by students. Despite temporary solutions being put in place like temporarily housing students at a hotel, the situation remains uncertain for those in need of housing and academic support.
It has been reported that students are sleeping at student centres etc. Amongst the group are students who have not yet registered, and this group is not considered for temporary accommodation. There were delays in concluding appeals (academic and financial exclusions). Therefore these students are among the cohort that has not yet allocated accommodation
These students also require transport to their campuses to proceed with their studies. The university has provided transport to assist students complete their registration.
The students are accommodated temporarily at the hotel in Parow. Those who need transport are transported daily to campuses to finalise their registration. The Branch met with the university management, SRC and NSFAS. The university also provides transport from the interim place to the campus for them to sort out registration
Amid these challenges, the University of Cape Town (UCT) experienced its share of disruptions as staff members staged strikes to secure salary increases. These strikes ended and the academic programme is progressing.
Stellenbosch University has also been dealing with accommodation shortages resulting from over-enrollment, prompting university officials to implement temporary solutions while students finalise their registration.
The university over-enrolled FTENS by about 1200 students resulting in a shortage of accommodation. On 19 February 2024, it was reported that there were about 100 students without accommodation who were camping at the university's Admin Building.
"On 22 February it was reported that the university had managed to assist some students and reduced the number to 38 students that are not allocated spaces. According to the university, these students did not apply for residences."
Meanwhile, at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), minor disruptions occurred as students demanded free education, though university authorities have chosen not to engage with unrecognised student structures.
The university experienced minor disruption on Friday 23 February 2024.Classes were disrupted. The students led by MK Veterans led the disruption demanding free education for all and that NSFAS must fall.
