UB Defers Tuition Fee Hike
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday September 21, 2021 06:00
The decision follows pressure from the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) president Carter Joseph, who had complained that the decision is punitive on the students as it comes at a time during a difficult economic climate arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The SRC president had also argued that the decision to increase tuition fees was announced on short notice when the self-sponsored students had already raised their tuition fees based on the old rates.
The UB management finally bowed to pressure exerted by the student body following a meeting with the executive management team that decided to rescind the decision for the current academic year.
A letter written by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris to Joseph on Wednesday last week stated that the executive management team considered the request not to implement the tuition fee increase in the current academic year.
“The Executive Management Team met and carefully considered your concerns. I am pleased to inform you that the Executive Management Team has acceded to your request. The decision is effective immediately and by copy of this letter the Director, Financial Services is directed to ensure its implementation,” read part of Norris’ letter.
This comes just weeks after the UB SRC was involved in yet another issue with the university management and Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF). The matter involved credit issues in relation to sponsorship.
Many UB students were left in the lurch after the DTEF terminated their sponsorships just weeks before the start of the new academic year on account that they did not meet the 50% credit pass policy that the funding agency adopted to govern the sponsorship continuity.
The UB SRC felt the decision was arbitrary, as it was not announced on time and implemented during a time when everyone was reeling from the effects of COVID-19.