Consultations on university fees for 2017 were ongoing with Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande expecting an announcement next month.

“The purpose of these consultations has been to tap into the collective wisdom of higher education stakeholders in order to find solutions to what is recognised as a societal problem. While considering the CHE [Council for Higher Education] advice, we want to ensure that academically capable young people are not denied access to higher education because they come from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, while at the same time ensuring that universities are sustained and strengthened,” Nzimande said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We must thus work towards solutions that assist academically deserving young people whose families are struggling to raise sufficient funds to support them at university.”

The contentious issue of fees saw Nzimande cancelling a media briefing earlier this month at which he was scheduled to announce whether tuition fees would increase or not for next year.

Nzimande’s office said he needed to consult further before making any announcement as student groups awaited his announcement and dared him to mention a fee increase for 2017. The minister had received a report on tuition fees from the CHE the day before.

Student groups such as the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) and the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA) withdrew their participation at the judicial commission of inquiry into higher education fees, with PASMA labelling the commission “toothless” after the commission conceded that it had no powers to effect a no fee increment for next year.

Universities have indicated that they suffered heavy financial losses following the implementation of no fee increases for 2016. Most institutions said they relied on tuition fees to sustain themselves and pointed out that student debt had risen sharply since the advent of the “FeesMustFall” campaign by students nationwide a year ago.

Nzimande appealed for cooperation on student funding at higher education institutions.

“Consultations will therefore continue for another two weeks after which a formal announcement will be made regarding our recommendations on the issue of university fees for 2017. I appeal to students, parents, community leaders, business leaders and all members of society to work with government in this regard.”