Rhodes University says it notes and welcomes Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande’s recommendations regarding university tuition fee adjustments for 2017.This follows Nzimande’s announcement that universities must determine the level of fee adjustments for 2017 themselves‚ with the proviso that this should not be above 8%. “We particularly welcome government's commitment to assist students who come from poor and working class families and those who come from mid-level income families. “This will bring much-needed relief on these categories of students. "It is important that those who can afford to pay their fees do so. “Our Council will consider the Minister's recommendations in the preparation and approval of the University budget for 2017‚” Rhode’s University’s statement read.Rhodes went on to add that in light of the assertion of Section 29 (1)(b) of the Constitution that “Everyone has a right to tertiary education which the state‚ through reasonable measures‚ must make progressively available and accessible” there was an urgent need to produce “an intermediate and medium-term funding plan‚ with timelines‚ and framed within the overall objective of reducing the burden of university tuition fees on students and parents while ensuring the financial sustainability of our universities".“Such a plan will provide direction and certainty regarding the future of our public higher education system.“Our university remains committed to working with Government and all other role players in ensuring that we continue to offer a quality education to our students within a financially sustainable framework‚ while ensuring that academically deserving students are not excluded for financial reasons‚” Rhodes said...