President Jacob Zuma’s establishment of “a task team to address funding challenges at tertiary institutions” got the nod from Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training. Zuma’s announcement followed what the Presidency described as a “very fruitful and historical meeting with vice-chancellors and the leadership of all universities in South Africa” last week.The task team would‚ the Presidency said‚ be “made up of officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training‚ the Presidency‚ the National Student Financial Aid Scheme‚ two vice-chancellors representing the leadership of universities‚ two student representatives as well as other higher education stakeholders‚ to explore solutions to short-term student funding challenges”.“We support the establishment of the task team‚ as this is what is needed to deal with the funding challenges in the higher education and training sectorm‚” said portfolio committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said on Monday.“This is a progressive move that will go a long way towards ensuring that there is adequate funding for higher education and training. It will also complement efforts that have been ongoing in order to address the funding challenges.”Last week’s meeting also addressed the violence that has spread to many campuses in the country‚ with Zuma saying: “While these processes are underway‚ students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that they do not resort to violence and destruction of property‚ which can only lead to their further suffering and deprivation.”Phosa agreed‚ emphasising that student leaders have a responsibility to raise their issues through proper channels.“As much as the students have the right to trigger a response to their grievances‚ they do not have to resort to violence and vandalism‚ which only leads to the government having to find more money to reconstruct the damaged property. This is retarding progress‚” she said. “Access to tertiary education has nothing to do with the protection of language and culture or even politics‚ but has more to do with capacitating students with quality education‚ regardless of colour‚ race or creed‚ for a better life for all.”..