UFS reaches an agreement with the SRC to abolish provisional registration over a two-year period
The University of the Free State Executive Committee and a combined Student Representative Council (SRC) from the three campuses have reached an agreement on provisional registration, sparking anger from many and warnings that it could cause further chaos in the future.
Students protested last week after the university announced it would stop provisional registration from 2026. This means that students who still owe tuition fees to the institution, or do not yet have funding around the time registrations open for the 2026 academic year, will not be allowed to register.
However, the committee and SRC agreed on Wednesday that provisional registrations will be phased out over a period of two years (2026-2027).
Contents of the memorandum of agreement include:
- Phasing out the Provisional Registration over a period of two years.
- Staggered concession of R70,00 (year one) and R60,000 (year two). This will be followed by the full implementation of a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable support system.
- All UFS registered students have access to their official academic records.
“In recognition of the challenges students face, the results of the meeting reflect the University’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all students are supported within a financially sustainable framework,” UFS said.
Kick the can down the road?
While this decision may benefit students for the next two years, the fears that drove students to protests will materialize at the end of this period.
A university student told me The citizen the SRC had failed students
“Our SRC is selfish for agreeing on something that will still affect us once they graduate. The way we have to leave this university is disheartening to say the least,” she said.
UFS obtains a preliminary injunction against students
Meanwhile, the university has responded to the intense protests on campus by obtaining a preliminary injunction prohibiting individuals from engaging in unlawful activities or conduct on any of its campuses.
In terms of the orderno one may, among other things:
- Participating in or promoting unlawful protests;
- Interfere with or disrupt academic or online activities;
- Block access to or from college campuses;
- Intimidate, threaten or harass students, staff or visitors; or
- Damage, destroy, or tamper with University property or security equipment.
“The order applies to all UFS campuses – Bloemfontein, Zuid and Qwaqwa – and remains in force pending the final decision on the matter,” UFS said.
READ ALSO: UFS students were given 24 hours to leave campus, curfew was imposed on other campuses
The minister takes a position
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Higher Education and Training said Minister Buti Manamela was monitoring the situation at UFS.
Following videos of clashes between security officials and students at the Qwaqwa campus, the minister sympathized with the officials and their families, and not with the students, who clearly appeared to be kicked and confronted with the power of the officials.
While the statement emphasizes that “several security officers suffered serious injuries,” it did not acknowledge the students who were seriously injured.
READ NOW: Watch: UFS students reject ‘fairer, more equitable and sustainable financial support system’
Molemo Tladi
www.citizen.co.za