Free University! But How?

Catholic university chaplains applaud President Jacob Zuma’s announcement to make education at tertiary institutions free for students from lower-income families, but are alarmed at the government’s lack of strategy to implement this new policy.

The university chaplains of the Catholic Church in the archdiocese of Cape Town sent a joint statement to The Southern Cross in response.

“There had been hints that the president wanted to make this call almost in disregard of other reports on the feasibility of the project,” Frs John Enslin SJ, Wim Lindeque and Gerard Walmsley said.

“The aim of providing education for as many young South Africans as possible, especially for poor South African students, is certainly an excellent one,” they said. “Catholic Social Teaching is concerned particularly about dignity, justice, the common good and the option for the poor. However, the initial announcement gave very little details of how this commendable good may be attained.”

They emphasised the importance of the government to explain how they will go about implementing this policy, otherwise individual universities are unable to communicate to incoming and new students about how the institutions’ structures work.

Make the Details Clear!

It is also important to make the details on the expectations and responsibilities of students who receive grants clearer to avoid “unrealistic expectations and disappointment”.

Some universities in the country have already begun the registration process; some students are unable to register as they are still awaiting confirmation of funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Finance minister Malusi Gigaba is expected to reveal the funding model for higher education in his budget speech in February.

The statement notes that various campuses had different approaches to walk-in late applications, which have been partially accepted by groups such as the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command. However, the chaplains strongly discouraged violence and destruction as a protest tool.

They implored Catholic students to “question the assumptions sometimes made that only violent protest can achieve results”, and to engage in peaceful, non-violent dialogues with students from other organisations in order to address, understand, and support legitimate concerns.

“Catholic students may support protest; boycott classes if they judge this will bring required results,” they said. “But they should not stop studying and they should make sure they are ready to resume classes.”

Chaplaincies Stand at the Ready

Although the chaplaincies do not have direct formal standing or formal relationships with the universities, they will “stand ready” to assist students that require moral and spiritual support, monitoring the registration process as best as they can.

Students are also encouraged to make contact with the Association of Catholic University Students (ACTS) branch committees at their universities during this time. They and the chaplains will be visible during orientation.