Universities have raised concerns over possible retrenchments should there be no fee increase for 2017, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said on Monday.  

Students are demanding free education soon and no fees increase for the 2017 academic year.  Nzimande said consultations on the matter would be concluded this month, thus leaving universities and students in limbo until then.  He commented on Monday that the ministry's conundrum was that it had to take into account "the feeling of students, but at the same time, we must also look at the viability of our institutions".  He said he was concerned that universities would start retrenching or closing down certain programmes and added that some of the institutions were “at a very precarious position”.  

University leaders say the university system cannot survive without at least an 8% increase in funding.  In their view, the government would have to come up with the money if the students' demand of a freeze on fees was to be acceded to.

• Based on reports at TimesLive and News24
• Read too, State bides time on fees decision as protesters shut three varsities, at BDLive

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