Zuma urges stakeholders' cooperation to solve university funding challenge

South African President Jacob Zuma on Friday urged university administrations and students to cooperate with Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, to find solutions to the university funding challenge.

"We wish to remind all that education is a societal matter. We must all work together to find solutions to the higher education access challenge," said the president.

"From parents, business community, labour, religious leaders, traditional leaders, political parties and communities in general, let us find solutions together," he said.

"It is not a matter that must be resolved by government alone, or by the Department of Higher Education and Training alone," said the president.

This came as student protests against fee increase continuing unabated in several major universities.

Zuma expressed concern over the violence that has broken out following the announcement by Nzimande of government's position on fee increases next year.

Nzimande announced on Monday that universities can increase fees for 2017, provided that the increase will not exceed eight percent.

His announcement prompted student protests nationwide. Students have threatened to disrupt institutions of higher learning if their demand for zero fee increase is not met. The National Treasury has said a zero-percent fee increment for 2017 was not budgeted for.

Zuma pledged his full support and that of the cabinet, to Nzimande and the university community as they deal with this matter.

The president also emphasized the seriousness with which the government takes the issue of higher education funding.

"The funding base for higher education students has been expanding considerably over the years, although it has not yet entirely offset the financial challenges for many students. Government cares and will continue to search for ways of making access to higher education easier for students," said Zuma.

The president has established the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into Higher Education and Training Funding, which is still at work considering the issues of higher education funding in their entirety. Zuma urged student organizations to cooperate with the commission as it seeks solutions.

"We urge the students to explore peaceful avenues to engage on this issue constructively," Zuma said.

He warned that the destruction of property is a criminal offence and will be treated as such by the law enforcement authorities.

"We have directed the police to ensure that all such cases reach the courts and that those responsible answer for their actions. This infrastructure must be available for use by generations to come, and students should respect university property as leaders of the future," said the president.

South African universities were hit by widespread protests over fee increases last year. According to official figures, the unrest cost more than 145 million rand (about 10.8 million U.S. dollars) in damage.

The government then suspended fee increases for 2016 and provided universities with billions of rand for the shortfall. Endit