Unisa students get extra two weeks to prepare for exams

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

Vice-chancellor Professor Mandla Makhanya said in reaching the agreement the university took into consideration grievances raised by students about the late delivery and receipt of study material as well as the late receipt of assignment feedback.

Makhanya said in the first semester, the university took into account the ripple effect of the late applications and registrations following the government’s announcement of free tertiary education.

He said Unisa had cautioned that the late admissions and registrations would affect 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 students’ examination preparedness would be compromised.

Makhanya said students insisted on proceeding with registration in spite of the risk that was flagged.

When the risk became a reality, students approached the university and demanded a postponement of the examinations.

Makhanya also lamented the serious challenge posed by the delay in the confirmation of National Student Financial Aid Scheme grants and the resulting delay in the purchasing of textbooks for beneficiaries.

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

“This has been the most frustrating experience as we do not have a direct role to play in the allocation of these resources.” – SowetanLIVE