The South African Students’ Congress (SASCO) notes the update on the return of students to institutions of higher learning and training as pronounced by the Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande. SASCO is convinced that the update is littered with a number of decisions which ultimately compromise the education of poor students predominantly from working-class backgrounds.
N+2
The student movement reiterates its stance as submitted to the government, the N+2 rule must be immediately reviewed. This as a result of a wide misinterpretation of the rule in tertiary institutions across the country. The N+2 rule in its current form in the 2020 academic year:
1. Excludes students based on years NSFAS failed to fund deserving students.
2. The N+2 rule fails to take into account financial exclusion which keeps academically performing students in the system for longer because they did not have funding at the time.
SASCO reiterates its call that the rule should only consider the years a student has received funding and their academic performance.
Gadgets and Data availability
As an organisation, we are of the view that e-learning would only attempt to be functional reliant on the availability of laptops and data amongst other vital resources. This could enable this type of learning methodology, though it would still need to be supplemented with contact learning and teaching. The minister today left the nation speculating as to whether laptops would be available to students this month or the following month. Dr Nzimande gave no clear timeframe for the arrival and delivery of laptops to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, more concerning is the lack of information on delivery for TVET colleges.
The minister’s celebration of 50% of universities delivering data and laptops to their students is problematic as these universities are historically advantaged and white universities and such utterances maintain the divide of our institutions consistent with historical injustices in the country. The remaining 50% which Dr Nzimande does not mention is unfortunately historically black universities which have been disadvantaged in the past. The majority of which are students coming from poor backgrounds, these are the students that are being left behind.
Risk Containment Measures
SASCO calls on the department to exercise its political oversight role and closely monitor the strict adherence with the regulations and measures as set out by the government. Campuses, where there has not been delivery of PPEs, shall be strongly opposed to commencing with teaching and learning.
The commitment to “Save Lives” must be consistent with our theme to “Leave No Student Behind”.
Nation Building, Unity and Cohesion
As an organisation, we have always appreciated that we are part of the international community and as a progressive organisation we shall always be found on the side of the oppressed, exploited and dejected masses of the world. Our solidarity campaigns with the oppressed nations and people of the world shall continue to exist. We condemn the police brutality of the US police force consistent with how we have always called out police brutality in our country meted against students in campuses during mass protests. We call on all students of our country, young people in general and progressives to join hands and defeat racism.
EFF Owner- Julius Malema
SASCO is taken aback by the views echoed by the owner of the ghetto shack movement against the sitting President the republic, President, Cyril Ramaphosa. We are however not shocked by his utterances as he has a long standing history of verbal diarrhoea.
The attack on the President is nothing but part of the many ways Julius uses to divert the attention of the country and its media houses away from his corrupt deeds that are being revealed again in the collapse of the VBS Bank. Mr Malema’s views are nothing but an insult to veil attention from his corrupt dealings.
Malema’s utterances are an insult to single parents of this country and they seek to entrench the backwardness that delegitimizes children born out of wedlock. South Africans should not be defocused by Malema in his attempt to evade prosecution for the allegations levelled against him.
Conclusion
SASCO welcomes the efforts by the Department as it relates to numerous struggles raised by the student movement inclusive of the N+2 rule however we want the government to do more, no student must be left behind. All institutions of higher learning in our country must send out a communique to students who must return back to campuses so they can easily travel in between provinces as and when the need arises. SASCO structures on the ground have a responsibility to guard and guide this process of return of students to campuses, our structures have been mandated to liaise with students across the country to ensure the transition is seamless and no student falls victim to crime or any nefarious elements.
Issued by SASCO NEC
Bamanye Matiwane
President
Buthanani Ngwane
Secretary-General
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Luvuyo Barnes
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