Hundreds of disgruntled Tuks students formed a mass protest against steep education fees at the University of Pretoria (UP) on Wednesday morning, forcing the university into lock-down.
As part of the #UPrising movement, students gathered at the university’s piazza to demand free education or, at the very least, a 0% fee increase for next year.
UP vice chancellor Cheryl de la Rey said discussions with the student representative council (SRC) were ongoing.
“The university has agreed to a proposal by the SRC last week, bringing the registration fee for undergraduate students in 2016 to R5 500 and not R7 500,” said De la Rey.
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“In light of the declaration made at the 2nd Higher Education Transformation Summit, which was attended by both the Vice-Chancellor and the Vice-Principal, the university has committed to affordable fees, in light of the current economic climate. Further meetings with the student leadership have been scheduled.”
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The students are however demanding that registration fees be scrapped altogether.
They are also demanding that all financial decisions impacting on them must be proposed to them by September of each year.
“As soon as the management is of the view that there is a threat to persons, property or infrastructure, it will take necessary measures to protect the safety of its staff and students,” said De la Rey.
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