Graduate School of Business response to student protests
Released: 13h15, 23 October 2015

The UCT Graduate School of Business has closed its campus until further notice in solidarity with the student protests over fees.

The GSB supports the rights of students and staff to protest freely and peacefully around this critical issue of inclusive access to education. We support the immediate and complete lifting of the interdict to enable peaceful engagement. What is at stake is nothing less than the future shape and health of our country. A well-educated population is an essential pre-requisite for a well-functioning and healthy democracy and economy.

Universities are important spaces for critical debate and constructive dialogue that must be respected. Throughout history, student voices have played a vital role in advancing social justice and democracy.

With this in mind, the GSB joins the UCT community in appealing to the state to demonstrate leadership and act with restraint. There can be no justification for the excessive use of force that has now been witnessed more than once.

As students, staff and supporters stand together, they highlight for us the importance of unity in tackling the issue of inclusive access to education; perhaps the most crucial issue our democracy has yet to face.

We urgently need to create a different kind of society and economy where there is greater opportunity for all. All of us have a role to play in creating this.

As a business school, we are committed to developing our continent's future leaders and innovators. We also reaffirm our commitment to reviewing the fee structure and financial assistance in our School.

We call on all institutions, including our universities, national government, the private sector and civil society to join us in seeking alternative models and innovative solutions that speed up the delivery of equitable access to quality education – not just at tertiary level, but also at primary and secondary level. 

UCT Graduate School of Business

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