This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-34615004

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Why are South African students protesting? Why are South African students protesting?
(about 3 hours later)
South African universities have been affected by the biggest student protests to hit the country since apartheid ended in 1994.South African universities have been affected by the biggest student protests to hit the country since apartheid ended in 1994.
Police have clashed with demonstrators at parliament in Cape Town and at the government buildings in the capital, Pretoria.Police have clashed with demonstrators at parliament in Cape Town and at the government buildings in the capital, Pretoria.
What sparked the protests?What sparked the protests?
Proposed tuition fee hikes of between 10% and 12% have sparked protests.Proposed tuition fee hikes of between 10% and 12% have sparked protests.
The demonstrations began last week at Johannesburg's University of the Witwatersrand when students blocked the entrance to the university campus, following indications that the institution would raise fees by 10.5% for 2016.The demonstrations began last week at Johannesburg's University of the Witwatersrand when students blocked the entrance to the university campus, following indications that the institution would raise fees by 10.5% for 2016.
The demonstrations have since spread to at least 10 universities, forcing the closure of some of the country's top universities.The demonstrations have since spread to at least 10 universities, forcing the closure of some of the country's top universities.
Which students are affected?Which students are affected?
Many black students say they come from poor families, and fee increases will rob them of the opportunity to continue studying.Many black students say they come from poor families, and fee increases will rob them of the opportunity to continue studying.
Students say the fee hikes amount to discrimination in a country where the average income of black families is far less than that of white families. While some student groups are calling for a 0% increase in fees, which the government has now agreed to for 2016, the majority are calling for university fees to be scrapped altogether.Students say the fee hikes amount to discrimination in a country where the average income of black families is far less than that of white families. While some student groups are calling for a 0% increase in fees, which the government has now agreed to for 2016, the majority are calling for university fees to be scrapped altogether.
Extreme income inequality remains a persistently stubborn problem more than two decades after the end of apartheid in 1994.Extreme income inequality remains a persistently stubborn problem more than two decades after the end of apartheid in 1994.
Correspondents say the protests show growing disillusionment with the governing African National Congress (ANC), which took power after 1994, over high levels of poverty, unemployment and corruption in government.Correspondents say the protests show growing disillusionment with the governing African National Congress (ANC), which took power after 1994, over high levels of poverty, unemployment and corruption in government.
The students are from the born-free generation, a term used for those born after the advent of democracy, and want the opportunities promised when apartheid ended.The students are from the born-free generation, a term used for those born after the advent of democracy, and want the opportunities promised when apartheid ended.
#FeesMustFall: Stories behind the protests
How are university fees determined?How are university fees determined?
Annual increases in student fees differ between universities as fees are determined by institutions. Fees also vary across degree programmes.Annual increases in student fees differ between universities as fees are determined by institutions. Fees also vary across degree programmes.
Universities have three main sources of income: Government subsidies, student fees and private sources. The number and financial background of students influence individual university subsidies. .Universities have three main sources of income: Government subsidies, student fees and private sources. The number and financial background of students influence individual university subsidies. .
While government funding for higher education has increased by nearly 70% since 2001, according to news organisation Ground Up, student enrolment numbers have also increased leading to a decrease in the subsidy per student.While government funding for higher education has increased by nearly 70% since 2001, according to news organisation Ground Up, student enrolment numbers have also increased leading to a decrease in the subsidy per student.
In addition South African institutions want to provide a "world class" education and argue that they battle to maintain standards amid financial constraints.In addition South African institutions want to provide a "world class" education and argue that they battle to maintain standards amid financial constraints.
Why did the protests spread?Why did the protests spread?
The proposed fee increases are not extremely exceptional in comparison to usual annual increases, which are often between around 7% and 14%. While there have been protests about fees at individual universities in previous years, the national scale of these protests are unprecedented.The proposed fee increases are not extremely exceptional in comparison to usual annual increases, which are often between around 7% and 14%. While there have been protests about fees at individual universities in previous years, the national scale of these protests are unprecedented.
It seems impossible to separate the current protests from student demonstrations that spread across the country earlier this year around a lack of transformation at South African universities.It seems impossible to separate the current protests from student demonstrations that spread across the country earlier this year around a lack of transformation at South African universities.
The movement to "decolonise" higher education was sparked when politics student Chumani Maxwele emptied a bucket of excrement over the statue of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes at the University of Cape Town's (UCT) campus in March.The movement to "decolonise" higher education was sparked when politics student Chumani Maxwele emptied a bucket of excrement over the statue of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes at the University of Cape Town's (UCT) campus in March.
This led to the formation of the #RhodesMustFall movement at UCT and the eventual removal of the statue.This led to the formation of the #RhodesMustFall movement at UCT and the eventual removal of the statue.
It eventually inspired the formation of similar movements at other universities, calling predominantly for changes to the curriculum, and for academics who are more representative of the diversity of their country.It eventually inspired the formation of similar movements at other universities, calling predominantly for changes to the curriculum, and for academics who are more representative of the diversity of their country.
A national solidarity formed amongst these groups and so the mechanics for nationwide mobilisation was established and a student discourse begun about correcting the historical legacies of apartheid in higher education.A national solidarity formed amongst these groups and so the mechanics for nationwide mobilisation was established and a student discourse begun about correcting the historical legacies of apartheid in higher education.
Can students' demands be met?Can students' demands be met?
Students marched to the government seat in Pretoria on Friday where South African President Zuma announced that fee increases for 2016 would be 0%. Students have welcomed the announcement but say they will continue to fight for free education for all.Students marched to the government seat in Pretoria on Friday where South African President Zuma announced that fee increases for 2016 would be 0%. Students have welcomed the announcement but say they will continue to fight for free education for all.
Roshuma Phungo of the South African Institute of Race Relations argues that it is possible to increase government subsidies to enable free undergraduate education.Roshuma Phungo of the South African Institute of Race Relations argues that it is possible to increase government subsidies to enable free undergraduate education.
"If higher education was to be funded solely through taxpayer subsidies then a further R71bn ($5.2bn £3.4bn), over and above the existing R25bn [current government subsidy], would be necessary," she writes in the privately owned Daily Maverick."If higher education was to be funded solely through taxpayer subsidies then a further R71bn ($5.2bn £3.4bn), over and above the existing R25bn [current government subsidy], would be necessary," she writes in the privately owned Daily Maverick.
"Our analysis suggests that, with sufficient prioritising, that R71bn could be raised.""Our analysis suggests that, with sufficient prioritising, that R71bn could be raised."
But even if it is possible, opinions differ as to whether free higher education is desirable. Some say the provision of grants and loans need revision.But even if it is possible, opinions differ as to whether free higher education is desirable. Some say the provision of grants and loans need revision.