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The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] and the South African Union of Students [SAUS] met yesterday to discuss issues related to the ongoing national programme of action of NEHAWU and the current challenges facing the higher education sector in the country. 

NEHAWU presented its fact-finding mission report and the national programme of action that is underway to defend and protect workers against COVID-19. SAUS welcomed the presentation and pledge unwavering support to NEHAWU. The leadership of SAUS confirmed their commitment to be part of the rest of NEHAWU programme of action and also to mobilise students in support of workers in their fight against the reckless endangerment and exploitation by employers. 

The meeting also discussed extensively challenges that engulf the higher education sector especially since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Firstly, both organisations noted that the historical imbalances in the higher education sector has been laid bare by the outbreak of the virus. Historically disadvantaged Universities like the University of Zululand and Fort Hare have struggled to handle the outbreak of the virus while others have done well. Some universities have proceeded to the second semester while others have not even managed to restart the academic year. 

The meeting noted that the COVID-19 Task Team has been failing to meet weekly as agreed and it is also failing to take decisive decisions on institutions that are not complying with COVID-19 regulations and protocols. Institutions of higher learning have given no clarity on student’s fees for the current academic year. Clarity is needed if students are expected to pay in full while they were at home during the lockdown and did not attend classes nor stay in residencies. Internationally, the user-pay principle is well accepted and has been introduced in many jurisdictions, reflecting a simple philosophy that consumers must pay for the costs of goods and services they consume, therefore, we call for the 2020 fee structure to be revised.

This takes place while the Minister is claiming to have consulted stakeholders in the sector and he is ready to present plans to move post schooling into level two of the lockdown as part of the Risk Adjusted Strategy. However, as both NEHAWU and SAUS, we want to make it unequivocally clear that Minister Blade Nzimande did not consult us as important stakeholders in the sector. It is a grave mistake to consult the Cabinet and the National Command Council only as they do not study nor work in the universities and colleges. We have first-hand experience of what takes place in these institutions on a daily basis and our inputs are very valuable. Moreover, the impact of the measures to be announced by the Minister this afternoon in his press conference at 14h00 will impact on us hence we condemn the non-consultation thereof. We will listen to the announcement and respond accordingly. 

The issue of final year medical students was also discussed extensively and both organisations raised alarm about the health and safety of these students in healthcare facilities where they train. These students face the same dangers as healthcare workers that are life threatening because of shortages of Personal Protective Equipment [PPEs], non-compliance to the Occupational Health and Safety [OHS] Act by managements, understaffing, and dilapidated infrastructure.

On NSFAS 

The meeting discussed extensively the National Students Financial Aid Scheme [NSFAS] and decried its sorry state. Both organisations condemned the decision by the Minister to extend the term of the Administrator. 

Under the leadership of Dr Randall Carolissen the institution has lurched from one crises to the other and mostly to the detriment of both workers and students. We reject the extension of the Administrator and call on the Minister to reverse this erroneous decision. Failure, to reverse the decision will leave us with no option but to mobilise all our members to fight against the shoving of the Administrator down our throats. Dr Carolissen has overstayed his welcome and it is time that he packs his bags and allow a board to take over. 

While the country was facing the outbreak of the coronavirus the Administrator saw it fit to take away funding for more than 5000 students. This takes place in a country where many young people are victims of financial exclusion and can’t access higher education because they come from working class background. 

NSFAS has dismally failed to act as a vehicle for working class students to have access to higher education. The institution has been reduced into a loan scheme with no plans to use it to implement free quality education to deserving working class students. Instead, it has been embroiled in scandals including the disbursement of R14 million to one students who has since been characterised as a criminal while the people who transferred the funds are running scot-free. 

On the 30th April the Minister announced that laptops will be provided for NSFAS qualifying students as part of saving the academic year. However, four months down the line those laptops have not been given to students because of alleged tender corruption. The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has received allegations of attempts to derail the procurement process of these much needed laptops by students so that certain people can benefit from the procurement of these laptops. In this regard, we call on the portfolio committee working with the Special Investigative Unit [SIU] to investigate these allegations with immediate effect. 

Workers and students will not fold their arms while Covidpreneurs steal from poor students. Corruption does not have a place in our society and must be exposed wherever it rears its ugly head. Corruption is not a victimless crime as it has robbed poor families of food parcels, workers have been robbed of their UIF funds, frontline workers robbed of PPEs and now students are made to wait while Covidpreneurs find ways to steal money meant to save the academic year. As a country we need to put our foot down and fight the scourge of corruption which seeks to undermine service delivery and our quality of life. 

Issued by jointly by NEHAWU Secretariat and SAUS