Wits students vote to go back to lectures

30 September 2016 - 16:36 By Roxanne Henderson

The majority of students at the University of the Witwatersrand want to go back to class on Monday. These are the results of a poll the university conducted on Thursday‚ asking students whether they would be happy to return to lectures with appropriate security in place. The interim results‚ released on Friday afternoon‚ showed that 77% of students want the university to reopen and 23% do not. There were 21 730 responses‚ with 16 739 students saying they want to return to class.STATEMENT: Majority of students support going back on Monday. #WitsPollpic.twitter.com/3RmIV8SzPq — Wits University (@WitsUniversity) September 30, 2016WitsThe poll was audited by firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo.Auditors are still working on verifying the staff poll.“The results of the poll‚ as well as feedback from parents‚ alumni and other stakeholders‚ will inform management’s decision-making‚" the university's management said in a statement. “Management will also reach out to the student leadership‚ unions and other stakeholders to engage on a way forward." "A decision as to whether the university will re-open on Monday will be communicated to students and staff via official university communication channels this weekend.”Students at the university started protesting last week after Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande's announcement that universities could determine fee increases‚ capped at 8%‚ for 2017.In letters‚ published by the university earlier this week‚ students said they wanted to lectures to resume and were concerned about their upcoming final examinations."Please do consider stricter police control or even military intervention if necessary. The academic programme must be re-instated as soon as possible‚" one fourth year student said.Meanwhile students at the University of Cape Town have engaged in a silent protest calling for the university to reopen its doors. ..

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