Unisa extends start of exams by two weeks

THE University of SA has extended the start of its first-semester examinations by two weeks to afford all students reasonable time to prepare.

The vice-chancellor, Professor Mandla Makhanya‚ made the announcement at the university’s main campus in Pretoria yesterday.

Makhanya said in reaching the agreement‚ the institution took into consideration the grievances raised by students about late delivery and receipt of study material as well as late receipt of assignment feedback.

“Students have raised the concern that these issues have had a negative impact on their examination preparedness‚” he said.

Makhanya said in the first semester of 2018‚ the university took cognisance of the ripple effect of late applications and registrations following the announcement of free education by the state. He said they had warned that the late admissions and registrations would affect the students entering the system so late in the academic year‚ with the effect that submission of assignments (including assignment feedback) would be late and that their examination preparedness would be compromised.

Makhanya said students‚ however‚ had insisted on proceeding with registration in spite of the risk that was flagged‚ saying when the risk became a reality it was the students again who approached the university and demanded a postponement of the examination.

Makhanya also lamented that they were sitting with a serious challenge in a delay in confirmation of NSFAS grants and subsequent delay in the purchasing of textbooks for beneficiaries.

He said this also had huge implications in terms of examination readiness and the potential of students to succeed.

“For management and staff‚ this has been the most frustrating experience as we do not have a direct role to play in the allocation of these resources‚” Makhanya said.