EFF Calls on government funding for university students

16, January, 2014

Economic Freedom Fighters condemns the reports that government funding for university students has run out. A the university of Johannesburg, more than 2000 students who academically qualify have been turned away already due to lack of government bursary funding in the form of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

It is unforgivable that students would work hard academically throughout the year only to be turned away because they do not have funding. In a country with already limited access to higher education and training the least government can do is to make sure that of the number that our institutions of higher learning and training can accommodate, there is not a single student who cannot be accepted due to funding.

EFF therefore calls on the government to avail funding for all academically deserving students in all institutions of higher learning and training, least they condemn more youth to hopelessness and poverty. EFF also calls upon university administration not to close door for students based on funding, but to join workers and students in the struggle to hold the state accountable in providing for the needy students.

That there are no enough funds demonstrates lack of proper planning and projection on the part of government which should manage to predict how much funding, taken the available spaces in higher education should be availed for students. In addition, it is difficult to accept the claim that there is shortage of funding in a government of so conspicuous and exorbitant expenditure that goes into the personal lives of its officials and events.

The door of learning must be open to all academically deserving students. It is EFF policy that there should be free education of world class quality, that is be able to prepare well rounded individuals and collectives who will play a critical role in ending starvation and contribute in the social, political and economic development as well as the emancipation of SA, Africa and the world. Any responsible government, with twenty years of democracy, will go to the ends of the world to find funding for its youth, particularly those who academically deserve.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, January 16 2014

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