SRC want an urgent resolution to qualification shutdown
THE Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) say they are approaching the Department of Higher Education and Training to address qualification issues at the institution.
This comes after Unisa management and the SRC failed to reach an agreement on the demands put forward by the student representatives.
EFF student command secretary-general Wadzana Mazhetese said: “The meeting we had yesterday ended without an agreement. We did not agree with the management and we have resolved that we are proceeding to meet the relevant stakeholders, like the Department of Higher Education and the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA).
“We think we might be able, as a collective, to find a resolution to the issues we have raised with Unisa. The meeting is supposed to be scheduled for Thursday (today), but we are awaiting confirmation from both entities,” said Mazhetese.
The SRC demands that all students who completed higher certificates last year be allowed to proceed with registrations from January 2, and for all qualifying students to be afforded space in the university.
Mazhetese said they are also calling for an urgent resolution of matters regarding Unisa qualifications not registered with SAQA, and would approach stakeholders including the Department of Higher Education and
We are escalating now… we are bringing in students from all over the region Wadzana Mazhetese EFF student command secretary-general
Training to address qualification issues at the institution.
The meeting discussed a range of issues, from academic programmes to financial aid. One of the biggest issues is the closing down of some courses, which has led to some campuses offering no more than five accredited courses.
“Some of the demands we raised include the issue of qualifications. Over 150 qualifications have been closed down. We were expecting the university to engage with us on that issue…
“They have not done that. We have proceeded to invite SAQA to reach out to Unisa to say these qualifications ought to be administered so that they don’t prejudice students,” said Mazhetese.
This also comes at a time when thousands of students are expected to finalise their registrations for this year.
Unisa, however, encouraged students to register online and direct their queries to the university’s toll-free number or email.
Unisa spokesperson, Martin Ramotshela, said: “When people are being blocked off from accessing our campuses, it does not mean that registration must stop. University registration happens online.
“There is no need to extend the registration period and none of us can foretell what is going to happen between now and January 25.”
The SRC, however, vowed that they would shut down campuses across the country if their demands are not agreed to.
“We are escalating now and planning to shut down the main campus – we are bringing in students from all over the region.
“I can confirm that campuses in KwaZulu-Natal, Nelspruit, Limpopo and Florida are closed. And the Sunnyside campus is currently in the process of being closed,” said Mazhetese.