The escalated cost of education at universities is an academic exclusion, these are the views of Young Communist League (YCL).
The league’s spokesperson Khaya Xaba said that they have noticed an increase in the tuition fees at several universities and this affects the previously disadvantaged students badly.
He said that they have been campaigning to have tuition and registration fees at different universities standardised.
“The more the fees go up the more black students specifically will be excluded.
“They are shutting out students from the previously disadvantaged backgrounds because only those from affluent communities will be able to afford,” said Xaba.
Xaba said that the cost of tuition fees has been a headache for the YCL for many years and have been trying different campaigns to try and make them more affordable.
“This has been our worry for years, fees are different in all universities. We have been busy with the Joe Slovo Campaign that says registration fees should be neutralised over board.
“To be honest with you the campaign has not been doing very, we just need to redouble our efforts this year,” explained Xaba.
Here is an overview of registration fees at some of the universities:
Wits: R9340
Rhodes University: Varies (50% of the total tuition fees)
Stellenbosch University: R10 500 (or R3504 instalment x3 months)
University of Free States: R6870 (R12 980 with residence)
University of KZN: R3750
University of Pretoria: R7500
Although the YCL is content with the more money pumped into the national bursary scheme NSFAS they still feel it is not enough.
“The problem is that the supply is outweighed by demand. They are trying but the problem is that the private sector is not doing enough.
“The do not invest in education and students, they only consume,” he said.
Xaba called on NSFAS to do a forensic audit to root out people who are funded when they can easily afford.
“NSFAS is there to fund student that cannot afford but there are a lot of students that are funded but are not supposed to be.”
University registration fees should be the same across board: YCLSA
The escalated cost of education at universities is an academic exclusion, these are the views of Young Communist League (YCL).
The league’s spokesperson Khaya Xaba said that they have noticed an increase in the tuition fees at several universities and this affects the previously disadvantaged students badly.
He said that they have been campaigning to have tuition and registration fees at different universities standardised.
“The more the fees go up the more black students specifically will be excluded.
“They are shutting out students from the previously disadvantaged backgrounds because only those from affluent communities will be able to afford,” said Xaba.
Xaba said that the cost of tuition fees has been a headache for the YCL for many years and have been trying different campaigns to try and make them more affordable.
“This has been our worry for years, fees are different in all universities. We have been busy with the Joe Slovo Campaign that says registration fees should be neutralised over board.
“To be honest with you the campaign has not been doing very, we just need to redouble our efforts this year,” explained Xaba.
Here is an overview of registration fees at some of the universities:
Wits: R9340
Rhodes University: Varies (50% of the total tuition fees)
Stellenbosch University: R10 500 (or R3504 instalment x3 months)
University of Free States: R6870 (R12 980 with residence)
University of KZN: R3750
University of Pretoria: R7500
Although the YCL is content with the more money pumped into the national bursary scheme NSFAS they still feel it is not enough.
“The problem is that the supply is outweighed by demand. They are trying but the problem is that the private sector is not doing enough.
“The do not invest in education and students, they only consume,” he said.
Xaba called on NSFAS to do a forensic audit to root out people who are funded when they can easily afford.
“NSFAS is there to fund student that cannot afford but there are a lot of students that are funded but are not supposed to be.”
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