[PICTUE-RIGHT]The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has cancelled all face-to-face classes and tests at its Soshanguve campuses due to continuous #FeesMustFall disruptions, and is urging students to go online for their studies.
In a statement, university vice-chancellor and principal professor, Lourens van Staden, said management was concerned at the disruptions that are continuing at the north and south campuses, despite a public undertaking by students to return to class.
Van Staden urged students to utilise the MyTutor platform and other virtual platforms for important academic updates and information, as well as exam and other arrangements from lecturers.
"Students should be allowed the opportunity to complete the 2016 academic year. The university, therefore, remains steadfast in its decision to create an environment that will allow all our students to write their exams this year," he adds.
The #FeesMustFall student-led protest movement began in mid-October 2015 in response to an increase in fees at South African universities, but has gained traction across the country in recent months, with the majority of universities affected by protests, property damage and violence.
TUT has over 16 000 students studying at its campuses and says exams will commence on 21 November. Residents will remain open, but students who wish to return home to prepare for the exams may do so. Van Staden says this will not affect the quality of teaching and learning at the Faculties of Humanities and Information and Communications Technology.
The university says any student or individual found to be disrupting the academic project will be dealt with in terms of a court interdict, the law and internal disciplinary processes.
"The university views disruptions and destruction of property in a serious light and a number of individuals have already been suspended and arrested during the past two weeks," Van Staden says.
Fees will stand
Last month, the university and the Student Representative Council signed a memorandum of agreement confirming that no TUT student would pay a fee adjustment next year. The parties also agreed that all financially needy and academically deserving students will not be excluded because of historic debt.
It was also agreed that all classes would resume without delay and the academic year will be completed without interruption.
Higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande announced in September that government would provide support to higher education institutions to ensure National Student Financial Aid Scheme qualifying students, as well as the 'missing middle' from households with an income of less than R600 000 per year, will not be exposed to any fee adjustments in 2017.
At TUT, this group is estimated to account for approximately 90% of the university's student population.
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