Disputes on University fees
In
response to the increment of South African university fees, students all over
the country began a social media stance to combat the rising of university
fees. A hashtag erupted on Facebook and Twitter; “#FeesMustFall” was all over
our news feeds. |
| UJ students protesting for #FeesMustFall |
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| Those who cannot afford university asking if they too do not deserve education |
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| students using technology in class |
If
universities provide education for free, how are our lecturers going to get
paid? How are universities going to adapt to the never ending society changes
such as, installing technology-based teaching services as well as generate
active learning environments? Because no lecturer will want to work for an
institution which does not pay them. Today’s generation is driven by
technology, no student will want to learn the old school way, and no one will
want to be driven back to when our parents were in school, it was tough for
them.
We
as students should think of how dropping the fees will benefit everyone, not
just ourselves. As a Public Relations student, I feel that going public on
social media about university fees has helped us a lot, the government gave us
a platform to raise our arguments from social media to the streets, and the
union buildings. They leveled with us and we got our way, but asking for more
than what we bargained for was not the way to go.
A short video of what happened during the
#FeesMustFall protests
Good read ! Truth is , the country or the institutions can't afford free education , its out of the question . So what students need to do is get back to building their futures and find other means of funding , its not impossible , there are many ways to kill a cat and free education isn't it !
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that students pride themselves when it comes to university fees, They feel that applying for some funding makes them seem poor, or worry that they'll have to pay back the fund once they start working. Free education is never going to happen, they should accept that.
DeleteIt's good that students fight for fees not to be rised..bit students need to understand that varsity being free will drop the standard of education. .no hardworking professor would want to lecture for free. They too have responsibilities. Free education is not the answer at all
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. The standard of education is indeed going to drop and that will result in another scandal for South Africa. Students have to think of other people (their lecturers) as well, they also suffer for our actions.
Delete"It always seems impossible until its done" Nelson Mandela our greatest president and world icon said that. Free education is possible we've seen it in Germany and other European countries. The government must budget more money for the education department than any other. Number two lets get an educated president who knows the struggles of varsity life who does not spend R250 Million on his homestead.
ReplyDeleteYou have to know that South Africa is not like the other countries. We have a government that "has made the things that cannot make the free education to not be done" (South Africa has invested more in trading with other countries than investing in the improvement of our education systems). I personally will not support "free education" until I know that our lecturers, and other people who work for universities will be well taken care off, and that they will receive the tangible salaries that they work hard for.
DeleteWritten very well… KEEP IT UP!
ReplyDeleteThank you Chinique.
DeleteThank you Chinique.
DeleteFees falling is not unrealistic. We can't tell smart underprivileged people that they don't deserve higher education. There are limited bursaries and in terms of NSFAS, a person could be unable to pay for fees but still not qualify for NSFAS.
ReplyDeleteFees must fall doesn't mean that universities don't need money. It means that the government must step in and fund these institutions. Billions are lost in corruption. Those billions could be used to fund institutions. The money is there but it is being misused. The ANC promised free education 2 decades ago. The only thing we have seen is big guns getting rich.
All your other points are true: we do need the best technology and lecturers at institutions but we also need to nurture our best minds and not limit it to their ability to afford.
The poor child's voice needs to be heard
Like I asaid to Mfezeko in one of the last comments recieved, SouhSouth Africa can never provide free education until our government steps up. I truly agree with you on that one. Students who cannot afford to pay school fees right now are suffering because of our government's corrupt behaviour with the country's money, that is beyond our control. All we can do is pray that God intervenes and helps those who are in need of education.
DeleteFees falling is not unrealistic. We can't tell smart underprivileged people that they don't deserve higher education. There are limited bursaries and in terms of NSFAS, a person could be unable to pay for fees but still not qualify for NSFAS.
ReplyDeleteFees must fall doesn't mean that universities don't need money. It means that the government must step in and fund these institutions. Billions are lost in corruption. Those billions could be used to fund institutions. The money is there but it is being misused. The ANC promised free education 2 decades ago. The only thing we have seen is big guns getting rich.
All your other points are true: we do need the best technology and lecturers at institutions but we also need to nurture our best minds and not limit it to their ability to afford.
The poor child's voice needs to be heard
We all know that the fees will increase overtime. My question is, what should the government together with institutions do to prevent this from happening in future?
ReplyDeleteThe government needs to stop using the country's money recklessly and use it towards the education systems. As for institutions doing something, they can only do something when government funds them to give free education, which I doubt will happen anytime soon.
DeleteInteresting thought, I like :) but if we don't get free education does that mean our lives end after high school?. I mean bursaries don't cater for every one NSFAS included. What will happen to the rest of us who can't afford our fees?
ReplyDeleteIf the government does not pay out institutions, to allow those who cannot afford to pay for their owns fees; then I guess they are expected to not have an education. And I am not saying this because I don't care, I do want free education, but I want it knowing that our universities, lecturers and others who work for the institution will not be affected dismally. We all have to benefit.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo since they won't be benefiting in your view, the poor students should take the fall for everyone and suffer?
ReplyDeleteSo Education is for the rich considering that you say we asking for more than we bargained for when we clearly don't have the money?
We asked for fees to fall, they did (they remained the same as last year's fees). Right after we got what we asked for, we asked for free education... Are we going to ask for something else right after we get what we want? Beggers cannot be choosers, if the government won't help us, it means we won't learn. Education is for those who can afford it, in the governement's sense. Personslly, Education is for everyone, whether poor, average or rich. I hope I don't seem unsympathetic. Would you work for companies in support of #SalariesMustFall?
ReplyDeleteThats true, have no futhur argument.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate :)
ReplyDelete