Chair, on 1 February 2012 the Portfolio Committee visited the Cape Peninsula University of Technology after the disruption of academic activities at the institution. This disruption was prompted by a fee increment and increments in upfront payments effected by the university.
We feel that when university councils engage in the process of fee increments, they are exercising public power and not private, personal power. [Interjections.] There is a very serious need for the Minister and this Parliament to consider regulating the question of increments in fees and upfront payments to ensure the progressive regulation of free education for at least undergraduate students.
We would like to see the National Student Financial Aid Scheme being able to collate a database of poor students who might require funding prior to the registration period in order to eliminate financial exclusion and facilitate a smooth resumption of academic activities at the beginning of the year.
We would like the Minister to strengthen the practice of deploying officials to monitor the process of registration, so that they can intervene where there are problems and tensions between the university management and student leadership.
We would also like NSFAS to reconsider the practice of reimbursing surplus amounts to students at the end of the academic year because we think the monies allocated to NSFAS are meant to assist those who are poor and no profit should be made out of that process.
Further, we think there should be meaningful and constructive engagement between councils, management and students prior to the implementation of increments, so that we can avert conflict in our institutions. Managements and student representative councils are not encouraged to resort to court interdicts and public violence as a way of resolving tensions regarding access. [Interjections.]
We hope that these recommendations will be acted upon. I hereby recommend that this report be adopted, except for the waffling of my friend on this side. [Interjections.] [Applause.]