Apparently an NMMU sanctioned protest scheduled for to-morrow (Wednesday 24 August) has started a day earlier throwing students preparing for exams today in turmoil.
With universities battling to balance the budget and cutting out their support of sports and other ‘nice to have’ services this latest salvo is showing the students lack of understanding.
Yes, the university has agreed to focus attention on containing the fees.
No, it will NOT happen overnight.
Students need to understand that universities that have become used to, shall we say, a certain standard of living, need time to drop their standards and yet still release employable students into the world.
The situation earlier from the Twitter account of Sikelela Matandela
1. A group of NMMU students have blockaded the South campus entrance calling for free education now! @HeraldPE @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @News24
— Sikelela M (@ForeverShakes) August 23, 2016
2. According to the march leaders, they have the keys to the campus buildings restricting access @HeraldPE @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @News24
— Sikelela M (@ForeverShakes) August 23, 2016
3. No vehicles are being allowed onto the NMMU South campus. Missionvale is also shutdown @HeraldPE @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @News24
— Sikelela M (@ForeverShakes) August 23, 2016
4. A number of students who had prepared for normal lectures are upset by such protest action @HeraldPE @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @News24 @eNCA
— Sikelela M (@ForeverShakes) August 23, 2016
5. It remains quite unclear how these group of students acquired the access keys @HeraldPE @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @News24 @eNCA
— Sikelela M (@ForeverShakes) August 23, 2016
6. Communique has been received from the university that students to use alternative entrances @HeraldPE @SABCNewsOnline @IOL @News24 @eNCA
— Sikelela M (@ForeverShakes) August 23, 2016
The NMMU said in a statement; “An early morning attempt by students to block various NMMU PE campus entrances has been brought under control.
All entrances are now open with the exception of South Campus. As a result, you are advised to use either the North Campus or the Marine Drive entrance. All university buildings can be accessed as normal.
NMMU is monitoring the situation and engaging with the students concerned.”
Alan Straton
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