USAf: Universities unable to manage high levels of student debt

Universities South Africa (USAf) said that institutions of higher learning were struggling to deal with student debt, forcing them to create measures that were resulting in a flare-up of student protests.
 
In recent weeks, students resorted to protesting at the University of Free State (UFS) and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
 
Both universities have proposed measures to curb institutional debt, including an end to provisional registration at UFS and increased tuition and residence fees at CPUT.

ALSO READ:

• Free State University to resume academic activities after student protests

• CPUT management says no approved plans to adjust student fees

USAf CEO, Doctor Phetiwe Matutu, said that universities were unable to manage the high levels of student debt.

"That student debt is emanating from two sources - the one is the missing middle; those students who cannot afford to pay fees, and then the second ones are the NSFAS students."

Matutu said government had failed to provide comprehensive funding for students who cannot afford to pay tuition fees. 

"It happens at the beginning of the year most of the time because there's been hope that things are going to be cleared. That is the reason... It's inefficiencies which are outside universities in most instances."

Both UFS and CPUT have since reached agreements with students for academic activities to resume at the universities.