BENGU TRICKS STUDENTS
1997 has been rocked by country- wide student
protest- against racism, exclusion of the poor, and the government's
plans to drastically cut subsidies to the universities and
technikons. The budget cuts mean fee increases, fewer bursaries, more
financial exclusions and the retrenchment of staff and workers. While
students' protests have made some head way, we are still far from
winning free, equal and democratic education for all.
PROTESTS
Over the last few months students from University of the North,
University of the North West, Unisa, University of Zulu- land,
University of Fort Hare, Natal tech and Wits have taken up the battle
on their campuses. Students were also united on a wider scale when
the South African Stud-ent Congress (SASCO) success-fully held
massive marches in Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal against the budget cuts
and other issues. This is not to say that there were no problems with
these marches- the Gauteng march called on big business to extend its
"charity" to help offset poor State spending, instead of openly
criticising the ANC.
Many politicians and university administrators stated that they
believe students grievances are legitimate. But they showed no
compassion to protesters, and acted harshly against them. Four
universities were closed. Riot police were called on campuses like
University of the North and attacked students.
A VICTORY?
A few days before the final Budget was announced, ANC Education
Minister Sibusiso Bengu retreated, stating that the budget cuts would
not be as drastic cut as he had first announced in December 1996.
Many students viewed Bengu's reduction in the budget cuts as a huge
victory for their protests. Indeed, his announcement successfully
demobilised most of the student protest.
But students must not be fooled by Bengu's plans for tertiary
education. Despite Bengu's claims, the new budget figures still mean
a cut in university finding. Some universities budgets will be cut up
to 5%.
REDISTRIBUTION?
Bengu argues that it necessary to cut some of Historically White
Universities' subsidies to "redistribute" funds to under -funded
Historically Black universities. Certain SASCO national leaders
agree, cheering the cuts. But Bengu is lying!!!!!
If Bengu and the government were really committed to
"redistrib-ution", they would make more money was available to those
black and working class students that attend the Historically White
Universities. If the budget of these universities is cut, it is these
students who will face high residence and education fees- they will
be excluded because they cannot pay. This means that these
Universities will remain dominated by white or rich students. No
transformation will take place!!
If Bengu and the government want to improve the financial
situation of the Historically Black Universities (HBUs), why do they
insist that these universities pay back crippling debts? Over the
last few years HBUs have had to increase their fees, lower their
bursaries, and cut back on spending on resources (books and
equipment) just to pay back their debts to the government!! To top it
all, HBUs like University of the Western Cape are also budget cut
targets.
STRUGGLE
It is clear that Bengu is not committed to the welfare of Black
working class students. While he talks of redistribution, he plans to
attack both Historically White and Historically Black tertiary
education in line with government's free mark-et "GEAR" policy. Debt
repayment and subsidy cuts stand in opposition to transform- ation in
universities and technikons. They mean fees hikes, fewer bursaries,
financial exclusions, cuts in university resources and retrenchment
of workers. The effect will be to exclude black working class youth
from higher learning, worker unemployment.
Students must not be fooled by Bengu. While we have won a slight
victory this year we must not stop protests. The is still a long
battle ahead for free, democratic, equal education for all. We must
oppose the budget cuts, the debt repayment and retrenchments. We must
unite all fighting student bodies into broad "Transformation Fronts"
and build alliances with workers that address workers concerns. No to
capitalist education- yes to the Workers University. No to the
admins-yes to worker/student/staff control.
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