The Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) has withdrawn from the Fees Commission which is looking into the feasibility of fee-free higher education.
The student organisation was scheduled to make a presentation at the public hearings of the commission in Vanderbijlpark on Friday‚ but requested to pull out.
“The commission continues to engage with all stakeholders regarding their valued participation in the inquiry process‚” commission spokesman Musa Ndwandwe said.
The EFFSC’s withdrawal follows that of the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma)‚ which did not participate in its scheduled slot on Thursday in Pretoria.
Pasma spokesman Vusi Mahlangu said the national executive committee had decided not to participate at the commission as it was a waste of time.
Mahlangu described the commission as a “toothless circus” that was not going to address the needs of students who were demanding a fee-free higher education.
National Treasury‚ however‚ made its submissions to the commission on Friday.
The Treasury said new policy initiatives‚ including providing free tertiary education for the poorest‚ could add 2 to 3% of GDP to public spending.
It said the new policy initiatives would impose significant pressure on the fiscus in the coming decades.
Treasury said fiscal sustainability required that a number of factors should accommodate the increased pressure. These included a significant acceleration of economic growth‚ increases in taxation and shifting resources from other priorities.
President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in January following widespread protests by university students last year against the high costs of university fees.
The commission‚ headed by Judge Jonathan Heher‚ will inquire into and make recommendations on the feasibility of a fee-free higher education and training in South Africa. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
EFF students withdraw from Fees Commission
The student organisation was scheduled to make a presentation at the public hearings of the commission in Vanderbijlpark on Friday‚ but requested to pull out.
“The commission continues to engage with all stakeholders regarding their valued participation in the inquiry process‚” commission spokesman Musa Ndwandwe said.
The EFFSC’s withdrawal follows that of the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma)‚ which did not participate in its scheduled slot on Thursday in Pretoria.
Pasma spokesman Vusi Mahlangu said the national executive committee had decided not to participate at the commission as it was a waste of time.
Mahlangu described the commission as a “toothless circus” that was not going to address the needs of students who were demanding a fee-free higher education.
National Treasury‚ however‚ made its submissions to the commission on Friday.
The Treasury said new policy initiatives‚ including providing free tertiary education for the poorest‚ could add 2 to 3% of GDP to public spending.
It said the new policy initiatives would impose significant pressure on the fiscus in the coming decades.
Treasury said fiscal sustainability required that a number of factors should accommodate the increased pressure. These included a significant acceleration of economic growth‚ increases in taxation and shifting resources from other priorities.
President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in January following widespread protests by university students last year against the high costs of university fees.
The commission‚ headed by Judge Jonathan Heher‚ will inquire into and make recommendations on the feasibility of a fee-free higher education and training in South Africa. — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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