President Jacob Zuma has extended the deadline by which a commission of inquiry into the burning issue of higher education funding should complete its work.

The commission, announced by Zuma in January following last year’s countrywide protests over the burgeoning costs of higher education, was meant to complete its work in eight months.

“The Commission will now complete its work by 30 June 2017. The extension was done on the request of the Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Heher,” Zuma’s office said in a statement.

“The Commission is expected to submit a preliminary report to the President on or before 15 November 2016.”

Last year a number of university campuses were shut down after the #FeesMustFall campaign gained momentum and even saw students storm Parliament. This led Zuma to announce a zero percent fee hike for the 2016 academic year.