2016-10-16 22:12
Lizeka Tandwa, News24
A fire rages at CPUT. (News24)
Johannesburg - The ANC's secretary general Gwede Mantashe, together with its alliance secretariat, have called for university students to go back to class.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, secretaries general of the ANC, SACP, Cosatu and Sanco said they met and deliberated on the current crisis in higher education, amongst other matters.
"The alliance supports the legitimate struggle of students for free education for the poor and we reaffirm our collective commitment to the progressive realisation of this goal. We urge the Heher Commission to conclude its work speedily."
ANC alliance partners said they were concerned about the damaging long-term impact that the closure of institutions of higher learning would have on students and society.
"Should the academic year be postponed, some of the potential consequences include matriculants not being accommodated during 2017 and a shortage of new graduates in fields such as medicine. We urge... students to go back to class and to complete the academic year."
The alliance said it also urged students to protect their academic infrastructure and to desist from violence and destruction of public property.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/anc-alliance-jointly-beg-students-to-return-to-class-20161016