79% of students still discontented - survey

There are fears tertiary education could be heading for a new crisis.

Durban - With most South African students thinking tertiary education is just too expensive, and delays with a commission of inquiry into the feasibility of free higher education, there are fears tertiary education could be heading for a new crisis.

A recent survey conducted among South African students revealed that 79% still thought that the rising cost of tertiary education prohibited people from furthering their education.

The 2016 Student Confidence Index was conducted among students in their fourth year or above, studying at a university or university of technology towards a profession-specific degree, such as engineering, medicine, law or accounting.

Students answered questionaires online, face-to-face on campus and via focus groups.

The survey by PPS, a financial services company that focuses exclusively on graduate professionals, surveyed more than 1 500 students for its study.

#FeesMustFall's MJ wa Azania told The Mercury on Monday that he agreed with the findings.

"It not only stops people from pursuing a tertiary education, it also hinders those who are currently studying from completing their studies," he said.

"As I'm talking now, many owe money to universities and those that do are unable to complete their studies."

Last week, the deadline for the commission of inquiry into the feasibility of free higher education - set up in the wake of the #FeesMustFall protests - was extended to June 2017 with a preliminary report expected to be compiled by November.

But Wa Azania said this was unacceptable.

Nine months was "enough time" and students would very probably take to the streets again in January.

Last month, Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) filed a submission with the commission of inquiry arguing that higher education must be made progressively available and accessible and that fees were a primary consideration in determining a student's access to higher education.

"SLSJ does not interpret the constitution to mean that, ultimately, higher education should be fee-free for all; rather that higher education should be universally available and accessible to all," it said.

The organisation proposes that application fees be removed and a student's admission and tuition fees be based on the personal circumstances of that student.

A marketing specialist at PPS, Motshabi Nomvethe, said while the figure of 79% from its study was down from 88% last year, it was clear that there was still a strong sentiment that the cost of tertiary education was far too high and students were now looking to the government, not the tertiary institutions, for answers and a solution to the issue.

The question, according to political and economic analyst Daniel Silke, is how severe an impact the issues surrounding higher education fees might have have on enrolment levels.

"I don't know the answer to that," Silke said on Monday night, "I don't know if it is getting to a stage where they (students) are being put off enrolling in university."

But he warned that if that were the case the country was in trouble,

"We have to be able to compete globally - against other regions and countries - and we've already seen a skills pressure. It wouldn't be good for our economy."

He also pointed out that the student body was largely made up of black students from disadvantaged homes and if they pulled out of university, this could perpetuate income inequality.

Silke said with elections looming this was an extremely awkward time and in the short term these issues could put increased pressure on political parties.

"If they feel their needs aren't being addressed, there could develop a separation between student leaders and established political leaders."

Silke said the 0% increase had put substantial pressure on the government, which was looking at a 0% GDP growth rate.

"I'm not convinced that government can afford to roll out a moratorium on fee increases or free education in the midst of a stagnant economy or one that is about to go into recession," he said.

"It is my understanding that universities are severely cash-strapped".

Education expert Professor Graeme Bloch said he believed free education was "a dream".

If the government could make it happen, he felt that would be good, but it was not likely.

"Where is the money going to come from?" he asked.

The Mercury

bernadette.wolhuter@inl.co.za