Cape Town - There were mixed views among UCT students on Saturday over classes resuming on Monday, with some demanding a shutdown until expelled student leaders were reinstated.
Others cautioned against not completing the academic year.
The university announced a suspension of classes until Monday when academic activities are expected to resume after almost two weeks of protests and police and security guards on campus.
University Vice-Chancellor Max Price said the decision to suspend classes was not taken lightly.
“We have worked out a plan that will ensure we complete the academic year by pushing the whole calendar out by two weeks, with no reduction in teaching days, exam days or study breaks. Sadly, we will not be able to hold graduations this year. Official transcripts will be issued, and students and their families can return to a graduation ceremony in June 2017.”
University council chairperson Sipho Pityana also pleaded with students to return to class.
“I appeal to everyone therefore, and students in particular, to encourage and allow that the academic programme resumes tomorrow. However great our cause, nobody can justify throwing to waste the financial sacrifice of families that have paid for students due to write exams.
“There can be no justification for compromising career prospects of completing students with offers to start their careers in 2017. It cannot be right that any of our students should lose a year of studying,” Pityana said.
On Friday a large group of students and staff held a silent protest on the campus hoisting placards with #UCTOpen calling for the resumption of classes on Monday.
At Stellenbosch University, students took part in an online survey which asked if they agreed with shutting the university down. The survey, which is open until on Monday also asks students if they think free education for all is feasible and if they are aware of financial assistance available to students in the R240 000 and R600 000 family income brackets.
Meanwhile, at the University of the Western Cape, students elected new SRC leaders under the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania, ending the reign of ANC-aligned South African Students Congress. In a statement issued by UWC deputy vice-chancellor for student development and support Pamela Dube, the university extended an invitation to the newly elected SRC to bring students' demands forward.
“After the inauguration of the incoming SRC, a planning meeting should be arranged at which the representatives of both the SRC and #FeeswillFall should sit with the DVC: SDS to facilitate a multi-stakeholder engagement so that a long-term view is considered,” Dube said.
Weekend Argus