While the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) deals with the threat of Covid-19 on the academic year, inside its corridors and student residential complexes, a greater plot is unravelling.
UKZN students accuse tertiary of ‘financial exclusion’
Disgruntled students claiming to be from UKZN have taken to social media to share their frustration with the tertiary institution’s strict policies on debt.
One student shared, in bewilderment, how her debt against the institution rose to include an R34 000 invoice for a residence unit she never stayed in.
Imagine being a UKZN student who has never set foot on campus post March 2020, because you never received a permit (beyond the ridiculous module prices when learning is online) but you are still subjected to pay R34 000 for a res you basically never stayed in.#SaveUKZNStudents pic.twitter.com/Xle1MCUgIa
— GLORYCHILD (@Lethu_Ntuli) January 5, 2021
This tweet soon took off and more voices were heard from others who are stuck in the same rut.
I had NSFAS but bathi I'm owing the institution this amount:
— uNjabuloMaphumulo (@CaMaphumulo) January 5, 2021
Can you imagine, R132 282??!!! Kuyimanje they're withholding my degree certificate until I pay this amount. UKZN is a shitty University I hate that institution with passion!
#SaveUKZNStudents pic.twitter.com/8JXID8GWAI
The UKZN VCs mandate is very clear, he wants to exclude the vulnerable and marginalized black students in the institution. There is no growth in UKZN but killing the future of the black students.#SaveUKZNStudents#UKZNVCMustResign#SaveUKZNStudents
— Gift Phewa (@phewa_gift) January 5, 2021
Comments from the tertiary institution were not received when this article was published.
When will the tertiary open for registration?
At this time, UKZN remains closed. The tertiary was forced to postpone its 2021 restart on Monday after a wild surge in Covid-19 infections in the province.
“With both the district municipalities within which our campuses are located having been declared Covid-19 hotspots, it is critical that all our campuses remain closed for all on-campus activities, excluding essential services, until January 18 when it is hoped that further directives would be advised from the President of the Republic and the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation,” UZKN spokesperson Normah Zondo noted in a statement quoted by IOL News.
For now, she said, campus operations will be kept online.
“All academic activities will remain online, and data will continue to be provided as before. The College of Health Sciences students will be advised by their Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) and Deans of their prioritised return. All College DVCs and Deans will advise their students about catch-up programmes and make appropriate arrangements for support. All non-essential services staff will continue to work remotely.”
