Teaching students at Unisa irked by employment proof requirement
AN ONLINE petition against Unisa’s recently imposed admission requirement of proof of employment for its Grade R teaching diploma continues to gain momentum with thousands of signatures denouncing the move that could see students facing deregistration.
Students say this condition is in “direct contravention of a national policy gazetted by the Department of Higher Education and Training, in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act”.
According to a communication sent by Unisa this month, students who have already been enrolled and are currently undertaking their studies are required to submit proof of employment in Grade R by Tuesday, April 5.
Unisa’s undergraduate diploma in Grade R teaching webpage states a national senior certificate or Level 4 national certificate (vocational) with a diploma entry endorsement, or equivalent, or a diploma in early development may also be presented for admission.
The webpage further reads: “Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification …
“In addition, proof of employment in Grade R is required as per the Department of Basic Education requirement of the qualification. The qualification will only be offered until 2027 and the last year for intake will be 2025.”
Petition campaign originator Lerato Pheko, who has gained more than 6 000 signatures on her change.org petition, is a student enrolled for Unisa’s Grade R teaching diploma. She is currently funded through a NSFAS bursary and said she “faces de-registration for not being employed as a Grade R teacher already”.
“Some of us had saved up money in order to pay for this course, or received bursaries from NSFAS. We have quit our jobs and rejected offers in order to dedicate our time to this course and now we are told that we will not be able to continue …
“What does this mean for NSFAS bursary holders? Will we lose a year of funded studies to this … We are appealing, as students, that Unisa corrects its misunderstanding of the law and allows us to continue studying this course when we have invested our time and money.
“We have a passion for children and were looking forward to pursuing our studies, as well as a career in teaching,” said Pheko.
She said the petition against Unisa would be handed over by its students at its buildings in Pretoria on Monday.
“Should Unisa fail to reverse this requirement, and any de-registrations pursuant to it, the students will look to pursue legal action,” Pheko said.
Petition comments paint a bleak picture as panicked students are unsure what will happen to their tertiary education. One petition signatory wrote: “After two years of rejections I was finally accepted. I was happy that I was going to do what I’ve always wanted to do, which is become a teacher. I tried to apply for funding but didn’t get it. That didn’t stop me. I went on and took out a loan to pay for my fees. I got my study materials, and now Unisa wants to deregister me. I’m so broken, especially after all I went through.”
Unisa did not respond to questions by deadline.