REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION ON A STUDY TOUR TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE ON THE 25 FEBRUARY 2005

 

1. Background

The Portfolio Committee on Education visited the University of Free State on the 25th February 2005. During the visit, the Committee interacted with Top Management of the University, the Task Team of Vista Campus and the Student Representative Council of QwaQwa Campus.

The procedure in which the meeting was conducted was that parties were allowed to make their presentation and thereafter, the floor was opened for Members of the delegation to seek questions of clarity. Since that the QwaQwa Campus Student Representative Council President was present the programme was changed to accommodate them.

 

2. Delegation

The delegation was constituted of a Multi-Party Delegation of the Committee, 3 ANC, 1 DA, and 1 IFP. The delegation was led by the Chairperson, Prof Shepherd Malusi Mayatula (ANC), accompanied by Ms Lorna Maloney (ANC), Mr Ben Mthembu (ANC), Mr George Boinamo (DA) and Mr Albert Mpontshane (IFP) and a support staff Mr Steve Morometsi (Committee Secretary).

 

3. Purpose

The purpose was to examine and monitor a crisis that existed between Management and Vista Campus Task Team. The Committee conducted a fact-finding mission to investigate what the cause of the crisis was, and if possible, come up with recommendations that would broker the impasse and enable the parties to return to normality.

 

4. University of Free State

When the delegation arrived at the Du Toil Administration Building, Main Campus, Prof lzak Steyn, the Registrar of the institution who co-ordinated the visit, led the delegation through to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor's office

 

4.1 Welcome by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the institution

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie welcomed the delegation. Prof SM Mayatula the leader of the delegation introduced Members of his team. Prof F Fourie stated that they felt honoured to host the Committee because often they felt neglected. The visit by the Committee would expedite progress and that they need assistance.

The incorporation of Vista and QwaQwa Campuses into the University of Free State was significant because they happened at a time when the institution was celebrating 100 years in existence. The incorporation of the two institutions, brought with it uncertainty and people felt marginalized. With regard to QwaQwa Campus, the incorporation went off well. As soon as the Vice-Rector of that institution was appointed, the Campus changed dramatically. The University of Free State has big plans for QwaQwa Campus and it is way ahead of Vista Campus because of the manner in which it is managed.

Prof SM Mayatula explained the role of the Committee that it is to allow parties to ventilate and they listen to what the parties have to say. After that, the Committee would if possible come up with recommendations. When the Committee sits, the Rules of Parliament applies, meaning that the meeting is open to the public and the press.

 

5. Meeting at the Council Chambers, Main Campus, University of Free State, Bloemfontein. Opening and welcome

The Chairperson, Prof S M Mayatula welcomed the respective delegations at the meeting. He explained the responsibility of the Committee as one of holding the Executive accountable and monitoring programme implementation. The Committee does not have an executive authority. They already visited different institutions during the process of incorporation and mergers.

The Portfolio Committee is visiting the UFS due to correspondence from Vista Task Team and correspondence thereafter. They received the report on the meeting of 16 November 2004 and documentation following onto those. He indicated the programme for the meeting. The QwaQwa student body will be afforded the opportunity to speak as well.

The structures making a presentation were Vista Campus, QwaQwa SRC and UFS Management.

 

5.1 Presentation, by Prof Thomas Acho, Deputy Chairperson of the UFS Vista Campus Task Team.

The presentation highlighted several unresolved issues between staff and students of Vista Campus and Management of University of Free State. He said that there seems to be a hidden agenda on the part of Management to frustrate the merger/incorporation process so as to make Blacks feel that the Government has failed them. Vista Campus community are passionate about changes in Higher Education because it would benefit the Nation as a whole, thus they are disturbed by Management's attitude which smacks of racism, deviousness, intimidation and cosmeticism when it comes to transforming the University into a institution which all would be proud of.

It is clear, Management aim to steamroll them into submission thus protecting the Afrikaner hegemony. They did that to QwaQwa campus. Despite several attempts by the Task Team to change Management's thinking, about transformation, resistance from every angle occurred. The Rector, who stated that the Task Team should either choose the painful or painless way in negotiating their Conditions of Service, displayed the threatening stance of Management. The unresolved issues between Management and the Task Team were outlined as follows:

 

5.1.1 Integration

In terms of the merger/incorporation Guidelines, with regard to representation on the Statutory structure, Vista Campus is supposed to have elected representatives on all UFS statutory bodies, such as on the Institutional Forum, the Senate and the University Council. Presently they have none. Mainly White staff Members of Vista Campus were selectively sucked into Management at the Main Campus into various positions

 

5.1.2 Conditions of Service

The Conditions of Service has not yet been aligned. At the former Vista University, staff were granted annual salary increases. At the Main Campus staff received increases for 2004 and 2005 they are about to begin negotiations for 2006 salary increases. Vista Campus staff has not received any salary increase for the same period. Management said staff at Vista Campus would not have salary increase until their Conditions of service had been aligned. The imminent visit of the Committee had pressurised Management to table the offer during the meeting of the 21"''' February 2005. A promotion Committee had been set up to oversee the promotion process. Vista Campus Task Team were surprised when one of their White colleague were promoted to a Senior Lecturer position. What further aggravated the promotion issue were that Black colleagues at Vista Campus who satisfied for the promotion criteria were excluded. The White person concerned resigned at Vista Campus, but was reappointed on the Main Campus in the same capacity.

Previous taxation policy at former Vista University had been violated and was substituted with the UFS taxation scheme even though the Conditions of Service has not yet been aligned. At the former Vista University, staff and their immediate family members were given bursaries for financial assistance to study at any recognised institution of their choice. However, at UFS they provide for such studies for institutions recommended by the university. Despite Management agreeing to consult the Task Team on the future of the Campus they (Management) let sections of the institution out to external bodies.

Staff members at those affected sections were given an ultimatum to vacate their offices to accommodate other institutions. It is a transgression on the part of Management as the merger/incorporation guidelines stated that all campuses that are incorporated should remain as delivery sites for Higher Education and no access point should be closed. At students' residences, hostel accommodation is provided on racially segregated lines only one hostel is racially integrated. In the Rector's opening address, he remained unapologetic about the segregation. Names of buildings, emblems and flags are named after architects of Apartheid such as HF Verwoerd. Symbolic emblems of Afrikaner Nationalism are an insult to the advocates of democracy and transformation.

Students who attend lectures on both campuses experience problems when clashes occur on the time-tables. Management is inflexible in accommodating students at Vista. Hence, some students cannot attend some lectures thus resulting into some students failing certain courses. Course codes changing from example, BIO to BLG affects the fee structure and students who have to graduate.

Pipeline students who had registered with Vista campus prior to the incorporation process should be allowed to register for any incomplete programme on condition he/she would graduate on or before 2009. The disparity in course content especially when a student is compelled to take courses, which are not equivalent to Vista's one disadvantages students when it comes to performance in exams. The high fee structure at UFS makes access for poor students virtually impossible. There is a need for the Department to intervene. Predominantly White and Afrikaans speaking lecturers find it difficult to lecture in English thus negatively influencing the academic performance of Black students. Afrikaans as a language seems to supersede that of English despite University of Free State's official policy of parallel medium instruction.

Members of the Delegation asked the following Questions:

Responses from the Task Team representatives:

In response to competence of Black lecturers in Afrikaans, often Black lecturers are told that we (Management) cannot guarantee you that you may keep your position if you are not multilingual.

In response to alignment of Vista's conditions of service, the Task Team said that when it was announced that Conditions of service are going to be harmonised, discussions followed and decisions were taken that binds both parties. When a vacancy arose, a decision would be taken that staff from Vista campus would be considered before the post is advertised externally. It happened to a lecturer from Vista campus that was appointed into UFS service but the conditions of service of Vista were applied.

In response to accessibility, the Task Team said that Vista campus had a programme on access, but no new students were accepted for 2005. In response to the lifespan of the Task Team, the team would only be discontinued as soon as the outstanding issues with Management are addressed.

 

6. Presentation by Mr Tello Motloung, SRC President of the QwaQwa Campus.

The presentation focused mainly on registration issues. However, he registered his dismay at the manner in which registration at QwaQwa Campus was handled this current financial year and said that they were not consulted. He said that such practices are a sign that Management is undermining the student formation. Post the incorporation process, students were expected to pay 100% of their outstanding fees to be regarded as fully registered students. Pipeline students were expected to pay 20% of their outstanding fees before being regarded fully registered. Given the precarious situation, the SRC requested that students who had committed to pay, should be allowed to make arrangements on an individual basis and Management should consider granting students an extension beyond the 8th of March 2005 deadline. The extreme financial background of students who had debts amounting into RIO 000 informs the request. Students would be unable to settle the debt.

SRC proposed that a Debt Collection Unit should be established to facilitate the process and ensure that students honour their commitment.

In 2004, an audit on the performance of students was conducted on the extended students programme. The audit report came up with recommendations and they were not implemented. To mention but a few, recommendations such as dismissal of lecturers, issuing of study materials and the renovation of Tshiya residences. Tuition fees in the last financial year increased by 6%, in this current book year, tuition fees were increased with another 6%. This resulted into a 12% increase within two years. The SRC support Management's initiative in turning the institution to become financial viable. However, no student at QwaQwa campus has been awarded with the differentiated/ academic bursaries. They proposed that the bursaries should be extended to their campus.

Questions of Clarity asked by Members of the delegation:

In response to fee increase, the SRC President said that for the current year, students were not consulted, Management unilaterally implemented the fee increase. In response to the extension for students who owe, he said that the cases would be considered on an individual basis. Those students who commit themselves should be allowed to make arrangements as to how they intend to pay the outstanding fees.

 

7. UFS Management presentation The Rector Prof F v Fourie, presented an overview of the strategic thinking and said that UFS is an institution of higher learning that is multi-racial, multi lingual and multi-campus. Its vision, is a university of excellence, equity and innovative.

UFS adopted its parallel-medium tuition in 1993 that made room for the inclusion of Black students. 30-35 Black students registered and the student demographics changed. The demographic changes resulted into an increase in student numbers, changes in institutional culture, management became more inclusive, the research and academic sections were revitalised and all these changes resulted into UFS developing a financial turn around strategy.

Central to the priorities of UFS was the incorporations of QwaQwa and Vista campuses as valuable constituent parts of the institution. The incorporations resulted into changes in the staff composition, changes in the institutional culture, workshops for staff were organised, campuses were taken through sessions on cross culture and social contracts were entered into with staff on both campuses. A diversity office was established to promote cultural diversity and the community service on learning and research were conducted and students were engaged at academic level in partnership with the private sector.

A comprehensive transformation plan was drafted to provide an overarching framework to articulate the transformation challenges. The transformation challenges brought with it a new institutional culture for the University of Free State. The need for representivity in the staffing of QwaQwa and Vista in the main campus of University of Free State. Prioritising and enhancing excellence in the overall academic life of UFS and addressing outstanding issues in the incorporation of the QwaQwa and Vista campuses.

In enhancing quality and excellence in teaching and learning there was a need to cater for a diverse student population and enhance students' opportunities for academic success such as, African orientation in curricula, tutor systems, language proficiency development. Achieving excellence in research by promoting and engaging relevant research institutions.

On regional co-operation and engagement, the incorporation of two satellite campuses created new opportunities to serve education and training needs of the region. It also served as stimulus for transformation. The strategic priority of UFS is to see QwaQwa campus become fully integrated centre of academic excellence in the Eastern Free State region and for Vista campus to meet the Human Resource Development needs of the region in a non- traditional, innovative manner.

Challenges faced by both QwaQwa and Vista campuses as a result of incorporations; At QwaQwa campus students and staff felt marginalized, their campus is geographical distant from the main stream, financial situation and student debts exert pressure on them, students felt that the infrastructure at their campus had been neglected. Vista campus' staff were concerned about the delay in the alignment of conditions of service and job security. Students were concerned about the phasing out of pipeline students and the strategic reconfiguration of Vista Campus.

 

Questions of clarity asked by Members of the Delegation:

In response to the questions of clarity, the Rector indicated that some operational issues are being dealt with. On strategic matters, not everyone could be consulted. Consultations had been done but sometimes decisions need to be taken by Management.

The Vice-Rector: Academic Planning, Prof Magda Fourie, said that strategic planning for reconfiguration could not be done at the pace at which one would like to make progress. Each time when Management met with Vista staff, operational issues took up much of the discussions. He indicated that with regard to consultations, Mr Sekoto, the former member of the Task Team was involved.

Vice-Rector: Academic Operations, Prof Teuns Verschoor, indicated that no particulars were communicated to him with regard to proficiency in English and Afrikaans. If the matter was brought to Management's attention, the matter could have been solved. Management is looking at an innovative way of addressing the language problems. It would be an advantage to be fluent in both languages, but it is not compulsory for staff to be fluent in both Afrikaans and English. In relation to bursaries, bursaries are available to all students. In 2003, fees increased for the main campus and no increase were effected for QwaQwa students including accommodation. However, there was an increase for class fees for all students. Pipeline students are still paying fees they paid when they registered. The salary packages of QwaQwa and Vista campuses are higher than those of the main campus. Centenary bonuses were part of the negotiations with staff on UFS conditions of service. Such bonuses would also be part of negotiations with Vista staff compliments. Vice-Rector Student Affairs, Dr Ezekiel Moraka, indicated that the policies dealing with residence needs to be revisited. The current policies were designed mainly on student's request. A Monitoring Committee has been established representative of all stakeholders that looks into student's needs.

The student organisation with the name "Here 17" is an organisation of students and any one can become a member of that organisation. An investigation is underway to establish their operations. A copy of the findings would be made available to the Minister and the Committee. Mr Billyboy Ramahlele, Director: Diversity said that he was responsible for getting people talk on the three campuses. He undertook to get everybody talking.

Rev K Jaftha, Interim Administration Head at Vista campus said that he would be under-taking good administration on the campus. For the past six months Prof Schultz was the campus head, subsequent to him Mr Sekoto became the io campus head. He truly believed that the level of suspicions could be managed by embracing trust.

 

8. Conclusion and Recommendations

The Committee concluded its visit to the University of Free State. The delegation was impressed with the progress made by the institution. The major challenge facing the institution is effective communication. There is a need for Management and the satellite campuses to communicate on a regular basis. The Rector commit that all stakeholders needs to move beyond the rhetoric. The Chairperson of the Task Team said that they are prepared to engage in a process of discussions in order to reach consensus. There is a need for the formation of a Consultative Forum The Committee resolved that issues that were raised by the Task Team and students. Management need to robustly respond to them and provide the Committee with a copy of the report.

 

8.1 Committee observations

Having listened to the concerns and responses by Vista Task Team and Management observed the following:

The Portfolio Committee having conducted a fact-finding mission to the University of Free State recommends to Parliament as follows:

 

8.2 Recommendations

That the University of Free State must:

 

Signed on behalf of the Committee
PROF SM MAYATULA: CHAIRPERSON DATE:
PC ON EDUCATION

 

9. Management submitted 10 Appendices

[appendices not included]

 

. LIST OF ATTENDEES

1. Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, University of Free State, Main Campus, Bloemfontein

2. Prof Teuns Verschoor, Vice-Rector: Academic Operations, UFS, Main Campus, Bloemfontein

3. Prof Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Academic Planning, UFS, Main Campus, Bloemfontein

4. Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs, UFS, Main Campus, Bloemfontein

5. Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chief Director: Community Service, Vista UFS Campus, Bloemfontein

6. Prof lzak Steyn, Registrar: General, UFS Main Campus, Bloemfontein

7. Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Resources & Special Projects, UFS, Main Campus, Bloemfontein

8. Mr Billyboy Ramahlele, Director: Diversity, UFS Main Campus, Bloemfontein

9. Prof Gerhardt de Klerk, Dean's Representative, UFS, Main Campus, Bloemfontein

10. Mr Anton Fisher, Director: Strategic Communication, UFS Main Campus, Bloemfontein

11.MrPaseka C Mokoena, Chairperson UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein

12. Prof Thomas M Acho, Deputy Chairperson, UFS Vista Campus,

13 .Mr Brian Naidoo, NEHAWU, UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein

14.MrBashin D Letlala, NEHAWU, UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein

15. Ms Masabata, E Wesi, NTESU, UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein

16.MrSipho Maqubu, NEHAWU, UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein

17. Ms Moipone Goliath, Secretariat, UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein IS.MrKitso WMogotsi, SRC, UFS Vista Campus, Bloernfontem

19. Ms Mpeisa S Sempe, SRC, UFS Vista Campus, Bloemfontein

20. Ms Sheila Vrahimis, Academics, UFS Vista Campus, Bleomfontein

21. Mr Tello Motloung, SRC President, UFS QwaQwa Campus, QwaQwa

22. Mr NM Grond, ?st Deputy President, UFS QwaQwa Campus, QwaQwa

23. Mr RW Moilwa, Secretary (SASCO), Bloemfontein

24. Mr RS Mbatha, Deputy Secretary, SASCO, Bloemfontein