4 Clarifying Perspectives On #Fees2017

In Trends

Fees 2017 protests have once again brought universities to a standstill and country wide panic since Minister of Education, Blade Nzimande, announced universities are to manage their own fee increments with an 8% increase limit. “It’s like they are saying, if you want autonomy on running affairs, here are your guidelines and you decide,” CEO Ronen Aires told News24. After Blade’s passing of the buck, campus SRC’s, Government bodies and educational institutions continue to seek a tangible solution to resolve the widespread student unrest.  While protests are placed squarely at the door of universities to fight the fee increment, we take a look at four factors influencing the outcome of #Fees2017 demands.

Image Credit: Ka_Ra_Boo, TUT First Year Photography Student

Who Really Pays The Price

Going against the possibility of fee increases, students have once again taken matters into their own hands, protesting for Government to reconsider its decision. While it seems to students that Government has the money to fund free education, truth is all funds are coming from taxpayers’ pockets in order to budget for the various government sectors, education included. Price increases continue to be a part of South Africa’s economic situation and with the South African businesses also heavily taxed, businesses and citizens all over are battling to make ends meet.

Are the already burdened taxpayers going to be able to fork out more for free education? While this is strongly opposed by the public, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has called for solution driven support from businesses and anyone able to support students and has pledged her own R15,000 towards the cause. Madonsela implored corporate South Africa to join hands, follow her lead and establish a fund that can be utilised to assist young and talented South Africans‚ who require funding to complete their tertiary education.

The fact remains however that students are asking for funds from the companies that are likely to hire them, as well as their parents and families. From our Student Spend Survey, students reported they already receive at least 86% of their financial support from parents and families. Some diversify out through part-time work, bursaries and even their own businesses, but the bulk of their funding is coming from existing taxpayers.

How Far Is Too Far

Joining the Fees2017 conversation to advocate for scaled funding benefits according to socio-economic affordability, is an admirable movement for the youth to dedicate their time to. Unfortunately, this is not where the motion ends. From calling for expansion of NSFAS funds, to accommodating the missing middle and making those who can pay, pay, students continue to make it clear they are driving free education as their end goal and drawing in as many supporters as they feel it will take.

According to Ronen Aires, CEO of Student Village as reported by News24, “Most students want major changes in the university sector at the same speed as social media updates and are into immediate gratification. While, to some extent it works, for a great change of big systems, it requires a longer-term effort.”

With the drawing of support, students are taking on different forms of protest as well. UKZN students have reportedly barricaded roads, experienced another burning of a building after nearly a month of damages reported by the media, not to mention several student arrests. A student of UKZN has also been shot by police in her residence as a result of protests in the area.

Even though youth see themselves as liberals, protesting whilst damaging and vandalising universities which they are fighting to attend, leaves onlookers asking: Where do the youth’s priorities lie?

However, it is clear that retaliation is coming both from students and public security who are trying to control the situation until #Fees2017 can be resolved amicably and property damage is strongly condemned by the majority.

Ronen also advised News24 (read more here) that this time, universities were more prepared and had increased their security. “They are trying to restore calm to the institutions and don’t want anything disrupted. Disruptions cause uncertainty, chaos and havoc.” He added, “Burning buildings doesn’t buy any friends, but it gets the attention of those in power. It is a sad consequence.” Students have also claimed on numerous occasions that property is in fact not being damaged by protesting youth but outsiders joining the movement.

Double Standards?

Country wide concern over the consequence of lower fees continues, including the effects it will have on delivering graduates with competitive qualifications. Youth have once again been labeled narcissistic, selfish and their behaviour questioned, however this negative attention has been called out by the youth as being a judgment made only to evade the issue at hand. While some students report feeling embarrassed by others protesting, other students have joined the protest out of camaraderie. Others reported not joining as they have been badly affected in their studies last year when #FeesMustFall first erupted. As many faces as the youth appear to have during the #Fees2017 movement, they naturally appear to have questionable priorities.

When the Finance Minister announced a Sin Tax increase, student wallets stayed open despite the surge. Perhaps because the cost isn’t felt with immediate effect like education fees? Student Village’s most recent Student Spend survey across South Africa found that the student population spend a whopping R3.5bn on alcohol annually. Like alcohol and other lifestyle luxuries, education needs to be funded to remain in supply. If students stopped paying for that beer, cider or champagne, they can’t be surprised when that same brand or service is not available as they used to remember it.

Until It’s Free

It can be argued that students are spending substantial amounts of money on their image and living beyond their means from the onset of university enrolment but a contrast needs to be drawn between the students protesting out of dire need and those in it for the “nice to have” factor of not having to pay for their studies. Increased taxes which has been the suggested solution is a reality graduates will also be faced with once they enter the work environment. Being unable to pay for an education leading into being taxed to pay for other’s education is a perpetuating cycle.

With this in mind, students have voiced their understanding of the difficulties the country faces and are slowly admitting that there is a lot to be done before free education will become a reality. Ronen supported this narrative saying, “Great revolutions in life didn’t come overnight. It is years and years of fighting for a cause.” He also added that incremental successes were achievable.

As protest fatigue sets in, the economic forecast for South Africa remains bleak and tough times are here to stay for the immediate future. What’s next for students? More protests are likely and the Fees Must Fall movement is here to stay as an annual feature on the campus calendar, irrespective of the headway made, at least until education is free.