Rhodes University in South Africa is facing opposition from students over a proposed policy requiring them to pay part of their outstanding tuition fees before registering for the 2027 academic session.
The proposal followed protests at the university in Makhanda last week, during which 13 students were arrested and later released, according to reports.
Under the proposed policy, students with outstanding debts would be required to pay 50 per cent of their accumulated debt and tuition fees by the end of 2026. The remaining balance would be settled through agreed payment arrangements.
Rhodes University spokesperson Olwetu Gwanya said the policy was intended to address rising student debt and protect the institution’s long-term financial sustainability while maintaining access to higher education.
However, Dr Simphiwe Madikizela, a senior lecturer at the University of South Africa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership, has argued that the challenges facing student funding may extend beyond the availability of money.
Madikizela said poor planning, inefficient administrative systems and weak processes at institutions responsible for student funding could prevent eligible students from receiving financial support on time.
He argued that improving the management and delivery of existing funds could help address some of the challenges facing students and universities.
The disagreement highlights the tension between universities’ need to remain financially sustainable and students’ ability to access higher education despite outstanding tuition fees.
The debate also raises questions about how student funding systems can be made more efficient, ensuring that financial assistance reaches eligible students and that universities receive payments without placing additional financial pressure on those seeking an education.
Source: Daily Maverick, republished by AllAfrica on 11 October 2026.
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