25 Oct 2015

Batswana students studying in South Africa are safe, Pretoria based education attaché, Ms Tebogo Semathane has said.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Ms Semathane said more than 400 Batswana studying across tertiary institutions in South Africa have kept away from the week-long nationwide protests by students over tuition fee increases.

One of the binding training agreements for them to study outside the country, she explained, was not to partake in protests, adding that they kept away from the protests and were staying at hostels.

She said they were in contact with the students and were checking on them every morning and evening to ensure they were safe.

Although the examination schedule has been affected, Ms Semathane said the embassy has advised them to wait until protests issues have been resolved to pave way for the examinations.

She said after South African President, Mr Jacob Zuma met with university officials and student representatives, they were hopeful that examinations would be written, although it was unclear whether the students would put their placards away and return to classes on Monday.

Meanwhile, Mr Zuma has ruled out any increases in university tuition fees for next year.

The students had rejected an earlier government offer to cap increases at six per cent down from the 10 per cent to 12 per cent proposed by the management of universities, arguing that they needes higher fees to keep up standards. ENDS