THE University of Zululand says it has made pre-selections for first year study and will not accept walk-ins during the 2018 registrations.
This comes as confusion mounts among students over the registration process at various institutions of higher learning owing to President Jacob Zuma’s announcement in December on free education for the poor and working class.
‘However, from 15 January to 19 January 2018, a marquee will be erected at both campuses of the institution (KwaDlangezwa main campus and Richards Bay campus) where possible walk-in candidates will be requested to leave their documents,’ said Unizulu Acting Communications and Marketing Director, Sinegugu Ndlovu.
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While the EFF and its student command has called for ‘all academically deserving students to report to colleges and universities of their choice for registration this year’, Universities South Africa (USAF) has discouraged walk-ins.
The body, which represents all universities in SA, said during a meeting on the new policy, it was established that since applications to all 26 public institutions had closed towards the end of 2017, no ‘walk-in’ applications would be accepted.
‘At that meeting it was decided that such students, whether they had applied to NSFAS or not, must submit their details online to the Department of Higher Education’s Central Applications Clearing House (CACH).
‘This system has been established specifically to address the placement of students who did not apply to any university, but who now qualify and wish to be considered for an academic space,’ USAF CEO Professor Ahmed Bawa said.
Bawa further expressed concern at the EFF’s call for ‘students to simply turn up at universities for enrolment without having made appropriate prior arrangements for their admission’.
‘This is unfortunate as it may result in a replay of events with potential to cause injury to students and their families. We recall with deep anxiety the event at the University of Johannesburg in January 2012, which resulted in the tragic death of a parent.’
Meanwhile Higher Education Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize on Thursday clarified that the free education policy will only be phased in over a five year period.
The policy entails ‘extending and strengthening Government’s support for poor students to enter public universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to include the working classes.
‘It does this by lifting the threshold to qualify for financial assistance, to students from South African households with a combined annual income of up to R350 000 per annum.’
Mkhize also emphasised that students who may not have applied at any institutions or NSFAS and are looking for a space in the post-school system, will be assisted through the CACH website which opened on 5 January and closes on 28 February.
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