UCT resorts to tents, dogs for exams
WHILE students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology are worried they will fail in their numbers because of the violent protests that have disrupted classes for a great part of the year, the University of Cape Town has pulled out all the stops to ensure that exams take place in a safe, quiet and calm atmosphere.
Huge tents have been erected on the rugby fields and perimeter fencing has been erected with guard dogs and security to safeguard the exams. Roads leading to the area have been cordoned off and access is strictly controlled.
This follows weeks of unlawful student protests. UCT vice-chancellor Max Price said: “We have taken this unusual step as a measure of our firm commitment to the huge majority of students who want to write their exams and see the academic year through to its end. A small number of protesters remain determined to see the university shut down, and have disrupted tests and exams over recent weeks.
“We will do our level best to prevent such incidents from recurring.”
Price said the presence of security within the exam perimeter was reduced to a minimum, but they would have Campus Protection Services officers in the exam tents.
“This is to enable the interception of any protesters who are students, and therefore may be entitled to be in the exam venue, from attempting to disrupt any exams. In terms of the current interdict, any protesters attempting to disrupt exams will be handed over to the SAPS for arrest,” he said.
SRC president Karabo Khakhau said that to expect students to write in the presence of police dogs was “not entirely acceptable”, adding: “Some students have phobias for dogs; the environment is not conducive. They need to introspect and talk to us to find solutions that will make satisfy everyone.”