Business worried over protests

President of the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vusi Khumalo says business is concerned by student protests over fees.

|||

Johannesburg - President of the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), Vusi Khumalo, says business is concerned by student protests regarding proposed university fee increases and the call for free tertiary education.

This as there were demands on the fiscus for free basic education, access to health services, the provision of free basic water and electricity supply, reduction in crime levels and increasing social security needs.

“The call for corporate South Africa to fund university education comes when companies are ‘feeling the pinch’ as a result of the global downturn and low economic growth in South Africa,” Khumalo said.

“Nevertheless, a large number of bursaries and scholarships are available. The website bursaries-southafrica.co.za lists more than one hundred institutions that offer bursaries which cover all areas of academic interest.

“Many companies are also assisting staff members with funding for the education of their children. State owned enterprises such as Telkom, Eskom and Transnet offer hundreds of bursaries.”

He said the issue was more complex than jus fees.

“Statistics reveal that one in four students graduate in regulation time (for example, three years for a three-year degree) and 55 percent of the intake never graduate,” Khumalo added.

“This has an impact on the cost of education. It is therefore necessary to identify and rectify the causes of the high dropout rate.”

He commended government for its interventions, but said all social partners, including business and labour, should meet for negotiations as a matter of urgency.

LABOUR BUREAU