WSU strike halts studying
2010-09-09 21:08
Johannesburg – A strike by students has led to the disruption of classes for a week at the Eastern Cape's Walter Sisulu University (WSU), its Student Representative Council (SRC) said on Thursday.
The SRC's provisional committee convenor Ayanda Tyantsi said police told students to leave the university's Nelson Mandela Drive and Ibika campuses last Thursday, on the instructions of the vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Marcus Balintulo.
"Since then there has been no studying at the two campuses," he said.
Students went on strike early last week, calling for Balintulo's resignation "due to incompetence", and claiming university management was ignoring their complaints.
They wanted to be included in decision-making, particularly on fees.
"He (Balintulo) just cannot cope with matters of the university... He just gets depressed. We advised him to resign because he cannot perform anymore. He should have retired some time ago due to his age."
New regulation
Tyantsi claimed the university planned to introduce regulations prohibiting students who failed one module from proceeding to the next level.
"They want to impose such laws, but are unwilling to address the issues of under-staffing that lead to students failing some modules," he alleged.
He hoped classes would resume on Monday, pending the outcome of a management meeting scheduled for Friday.
"After our meeting with Balintulo yesterday (Wednesday), which led him to convene a management meeting for Friday, we are positive that we will be listened to."
Balintulo confirmed on Thursday afternoon that following management's "productive engagements" at the two campuses on Wednesday, classes would resume on Monday.
"Student residences will be re-opened from Thursday in preparation for academic classes resuming on Monday," he said in a statement.
It was also resolved during Wednesday's meetings that management consultations of students on student fee adjustments or increments should start at campus SRC levels first, before proceeding to institutional SRC level.
"We assure the university community of our commitment in continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure the smooth functioning of the institution. We further appeal to all stakeholders to accord the university academic business the utmost respect it deserves," Balintulo said.
- SAPA