Eddy Mhlongo (in red) and Ababalwe Bangiso (green) led the group, who handed over a memorandum of demands. Picture: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers
Cape Town - Education students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Mowbray aired their frustrations yesterday by marching to the Western Cape Education Department’s offices to hand over a memorandum regarding the sudden cut in their Funza Lushaka bursary funds.
The students were hoping to get through to the national Department of Basic Education, which funds the teaching bursary offered to students.
The students said the bursary funding cut has put them into financial debt, with student accounts racking up amounts the bursary was supposed to cover.
They are also calling on the department to rectify what they refer to as a breach of contract, after they went into a contractual agreement with the students in May.
The hopeful teachers were to be paid out by the end of July, but instead received news of the budget cut.
Eddy Mhlongo, a fourth-year student at CPUT, led the group of about 50 students, where they were to also meet up with students from the Wellington campus to hand over the list of demands.
Mhlongo said they hoped to get answers by August 30 regarding their demands.
“The memorandum expresses our disappointment and frustrations after our funds were reduced by approximately 31.5% of our initial contracts.
“We are aware that CPUT management are trying their best to bring justice to the agreement, while we are still waiting on the DBE. This bursary was supposed to be a help, but now it’s brought a financial burden on to us.”
Ababalwe Bangiso, a second-year student, who also led the group, said they were not only fighting for themselves, but also for the future of students to study through the bursary.
“The reason why we also work so hard is because we know the bursary covers us by merits. Now what will happen to the quality of academics if these type of things happen?”
The memorandum calls for the amendment of their funds to return to its original position, for immediate fulfilment of all outstanding contractual obligations by Funza Lushaka, transparency and clear communication regarding the reasons for the delays and failures to fulfil contracts, and for increment of the students’ annual capped budgets.
Spokesperson for CPUT Lauren Kansley said they were aware of the students’ frustration.
“Since we last communicated last week, students have been given a lifeline from CPUT where we will be assisting financially while we await the final decision from the DBE.”
Kansley said once the DBE has approved CPUT’s request, they would revisit other outstanding funds. The allowances should reflect in students’ bank accounts by today.
“We hope that this gesture from the institution assists in alleviating some of the anxiety felt by students.
“Our conversations with DBE continue and we hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
The DBE has yet to respond to media enquiries.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
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