BILL SMITH writes:
It is sad to see thousands of hooligans masquerading as students – they certainly do not behave and look like future professional people.
Educated people do not damage and burn their place of learning and residence. University enrolment should start with proper screening.
Prospective students should write an entry examination for their intended degree; if they fail they should not be eligible for enrolment.
Once they qualify for enrolment, they should be classified according to their or their parent’s income – a formula must be derived for payment of registration and first year tuition fees.
If there is no money at all, they should receive a low interest loan to cover fees.
From there it should not be ‘plain sailing’. If they do not score suitable results at the end of the first year, they must leave without a refund of costs incurred. There should be no “second chance”.
In the event of them having had a loan, the loan must be repaid in full, irrespective of where they go to after leaving the university. This would make place for those who are prepared to learn and work hard.
If students perform well in final examinations, they should be eligible for a refund of certain costs and be allowed to continue into the next year.
The problem is that once they are enrolled, they want more. They want free accommodation, food, text books, transport and much more; who must pay for that?
Then they start protesting against things that have nothing to do with their education – they protest on behalf of cleaning staff etc.
If students are suspended, those suspensions are soon lifted. If they are arrested by the police, they are soon released without further action against them. That is sending out a wrong message. The students now know they can do what they like without any lasting action taken against them.
If they are dedicated to completing one or other degree, students will not find time for all these other activities.
Universities have made it clear that they cannot afford free education. There are numerous costs including staff salaries, building maintenance, electricity, water, communication, cleaning, security etc.
If there is free education for all and sundry, it will be chaos. The university facilities and residences will be overwhelmed with people who are there for the fun of it, pass or fail – who cares?
