Wits University Releases Proposed Plan To Resume Lectures

JOHANNESBURG-October 26, 2015-Wits University has released a proposed plan to resume lectures by Tuesday. It is committed to leaving tuition and accommodation fees unchanged for 2016. It also promises to take no disciplinary action against protesting students. The university’s programme was abandoned for nearly two weeks due to student protests over fees.

Management at Wits wants the academic programme to resume as soon as possible. The Executive committee says it will restructure the lecture and exam timetables in order to make up for the days of learning which were lost due to the demonstrations. Management has also committed to relooking at the practice of outsourcing workers, which students have called an end for.

A senate meeting was scheduled Monday for students and staff but divisions among the student population resulted in an adjournment. If Wits plans are accepted by students, lectures are expected to resume Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, a meeting between the University of Limpopo management and students has resolved that final examinations will resume next week.

The meeting was aimed at finding solutions to the students’ grievances. The students are demanding that outstanding debts be scrapped, academic records be free, the library to be upgraded and qualified staff to be employed.

University Vice-Chancellor Mahlo Mokgalong has been given until the end of business Monday to commit to some of the demands. Mokgalong says he’s optimistic the situation will no longer affect the exams.

“Our exams started last week Monday, unfortunately on Wednesday the students disrupted the exams and as I have indicated to them today (Monday), the university will give them this week as a study week to prepare themselves for the exams and we will resume on Monday next week. The exam section is currently putting together a new timetable,” says Mokgalong.

SABC