STUDENT leaders have lamented the ‘timing’ of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s offer for deregistration.
UKZN has offered students an opportunity to deregister from the university if they wish without incurring any financial penalties.
This is a regular exercise that most universities engage in around this time of the year, with UKZN stressing that, “This is a critical administrative process and in no way impacts on the online learning or resumption of the academic programme.”
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Sifiso Simelane, UKZN Student Representative Council president, said they had written to the university asking for clarity for students who are nervous about their academic futures.
“Our issue is with the timing of this announcement, while we are busy trying to finalise online learning. It does seem like the university is trying to say deregister if you cannot do online learning, which is not the case,” he said.
The Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation said universities will remain closed under Level 4 but can commence online learning from June. Last month, UKZN sent an online survey to students to gauge their preparedness for online learning.
Results of the survey have not been made publicly available. Meanwhile, the University of Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg and Cape Town have already started sending students mobile data and loaning them laptops.
“Students must be given laptops and data very soon so they can familiarise themselves with the online (interface) before June. First year students who have not accustomed themselves very well should be prioritised for teaching,” he said. “We want to assure students that no one will be left behind.”
The University advises that the final date for withdrawal from the University has been extended to 4pm on Thursday, 7 May 2020.
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