The Select Committee on Education and Recreation is alarmed by increasing incidents of protests by students in various tertiary education institutions across the country. While the Committee accepts and supports the call for free tertiary education for the poor, achievement of this goal should not come at all cost, especially with regard to the future of the students.

The silence by parents in this debate is also worrying as they remain an essential role player within the education sector. “Their active contribution will play a critical role in finding the necessary resolutions and prevent any deviation and anarchy,” said Ms Lungelwa Zwane, the Chairperson of the Committee.  

The concessions made thus far by government point to a positive progression towards the realisation of the end goal. The Committee is of the view that what is required at this pivotal moment is a commitment to dialogue in order to find lasting and sustainable solutions to the challenge of access to tertiary education, especially for the poor.  

“With year-end examinations in the horizon, it will be best to participate in constructive dialogues with government through the Presidential Commission, private sector partners as well as authorities within institutions of higher learning to find practical resolutions to this daunting challenge. Vandalism and destruction of property does not assist in resolving the challenge but exacerbates the problem and reverses the gains already made,” said Ms Zwane.

The Committee calls on parents, churches as well as all sectors of society to engage students to dissuade them from any destructive behaviour. “It is only through collaborative efforts by society in general that will we overcome this challenge,” Ms Zwane emphasised.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Social Services Ms Lungelwa Zwane