NSFAS policy still the same: UKZN
Management of the University of KwaZulu Natal says it has not made changes to the policy that determines which students qualify for the funding scheme, NSFAS.
The university's Lesiba Seshoka says academic achievements are always taken into consideration.
"We still use that policy. However, if we can only fund 100 people from NSFAS and the top 100 have passed all their courses and are financially needy, of course they get the money.
"If you've passed 50% of your courses, you qualify, but if others have performed better they're the first ones to get it. That's how a university is supposed to work and we're changing no policy after all," he said.
The NSFAS policy is one of several grievances listed by students who've been protesting at the Westville, Howard College and Pietermaritzburg campuses.
Other concerns include the registration fee which students say the university plans on increasing from R3 500 to R5 000.
Students also allege there are plans to do away with the Registration Appeals Committee.
On Sunday night, several vehicles and buildings were torched as angry students went on the rampage at Westville campus.
A private bus was also set alight on the Pietermaritzburg campus in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The morning, the ANC Youth League and other student bodies met at the Westville campus this morning, in a bid to end the violent protests.
Earlier today, the university said academic activities at all its campuses have been suspended for the rest of the week.
(File photo)