PARLIAMENT’S Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training will invite university students to indicate their concerns experienced during the registration period, says committee chairperson Connie September.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September said this was part of efforts to ensure there is a smooth and peaceful start to the 2019 academic year.

“They are an important stakeholder and the committee has been working on a joint programme with the students to ensure that the implementation of free education for the poor and working class benefits the students and their communities,” she said.

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“The committee wants to see a smooth and peaceful start to 2019, where students will not be bothered by anything other than registering and getting started with the first term.”

The official term for 2019 begins in the first week of February and institutions will be asked whether they are achieving the throughput as envisaged in the National Development Plan.

The chairperson said the focus of all student leaders should be on advancing the higher education sector for the benefit of all, especially poor students.

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“Student leaders need to be talking about how they hope to assist universities resolve such challenges as student accommodation and waiting lists, and in this way help institutions realise smooth and successful registration,” said September.

The committee will over the next few weeks monitor the registration process at many universities and colleges.

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