‘No choice but to increase uni fees’
BRAAMFONTEIN – Wits raise fees, despite recent protests by students.
The Council of the University of the Witwatersrand has confirmed that the University will be increasing fees for the 2017 academic year by an average of 8 per cent for tuition and residence fees.
The institution said it has no choice but to increase its fees next year.
The statement released on 5 December, stated that an 8 per cent increase is also applicable for international student fees. The only exception is for postgraduate programmes run in the Wits School of Governance, where tuition fees will increase by 9.5 per cent. These increases are in line with the recommendations made by the State in September this year.
The university explained that it has implemented the increases in order to remain financially stable since staff need to be remunerated, stationery needs to be purchased (some journals in foreign currency), utilities must be paid, and infrastructure has to be maintained.
The statement added that the decision on the increase was recommended by management and the Financial Committee (FinCo) of the University and approved by Council after consultation with the elected students’ representative council (SRC).
The statement added that, “The SRC is represented on FinCo and Council and had requested a 0 per cent increase in tuition fees for 2017. Their input was considered and deliberated extensively before the final decision was made.”
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