University students did not get off to a great start in the beginning of 2019 academic year, as student protests erupted all around South Africa, with students demanding that students with historic debt be allowed to register as well as better living conditions in student residence.

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) suspended academic learning after students from Pretoria, Arcadia, Arts campus and eMalahleni also protested. Now that academic learning has been given a go ahead the university will extend the first semester of learning, due to the time students lost during the protests.

“TUT management agreed that the academic calendar for the first semester will be extended by two weeks to ensure that students meet the attendance and academic requirements for all courses,” TUT spokesperson, Willa de Ruyter told Pretoria East Record.

According to the university mid-year exams would now begin on 27 May 2019, and students who were affected by the shutdown and could not register would be given time to do so until 1 March 2019.

“Students are advised to make use of the online registration system to speed up the process, and also check the university website for updates and information,” said De Ruyter.

The spokesperson also said that all campuses were open while there were still a few disruptions at Pretoria, Arcadia, and Arts campus. The university was aware of many misleading messages aimed at creating confusion circulating on social media.

“The university will monitor the situation at all campuses to ensure a conductive academic environment,” concluded De Ruyter.

[Source – Pretoria East Record]

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