UKZN sets catch-up programme for students

UKZN management says it is committed to ensuring the academic programme for 2016 proceeds as scheduled despite the recent surge of student protest action causing disruptions across the campuses which led to the loss of valuable teaching time.

According to Lesiba Seshoka, executive director of UKZN’s corporate relations, the unfortunate effect has resulted in delays in schedules of many programmes.

“In the interest of ensuring that the 2016 academic programme is fully completed and that students receive the full benefit of the academic year, a special task team was set-up to propose a workable catch-up programme, that will enable students to complete all lectures, tutorials, tests and /or seminars before the end of 2016,” he added.

After considering various possibilities, the team proposed that the only feasible option was to adjust the 2016 sessional dates and to extend the semester. The proposal tabled and approved by the Senate of the University structured the sessional dates to extend the academic calendar by almost four weeks to enable the 2016 academic programme (lectures, tutorials, and/ or seminars) to be completed in the current academic year, with lectures ending on Thursday, 24 November 2016.

The study week is scheduled for Friday, 25 November and the main exams will begin on Wednesday, 30 November 2016, while supplementary examinations will take place in January 2017.