The University of the Free State (UFS) and student leaders have reached an agreement to phase out provisional registration over a two-year period, following days of protests that disrupted academic activities and led to the closure of the Qwaqwa campus.
The university’s executive committee, the Institutional Student Representative Council and the Campus Student Representative Councils (CSRCs) of all three campuses met on Wednesday and agreed that provisional registration will be phased out between 2026 and 2027.
According to UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader, this phased approach gives the university time to assess the risks students face and assist them. The agreement was part of the university’s efforts to “build a fairer, more equitable and sustainable financial support system for academically deserving students.”
As part of the new scheme, students with debts of up to R70,000 will be allowed to register and all registered students will have access to their academic records, regardless of their outstanding balances. Loader said the decision “reflects the university’s commitment to supporting students within a financially sustainable framework”.
The agreement came after days of tension on UFS campuses over the cancellation of provisional registration. This long-standing system allowed financially struggling students to enroll while paying their tuition in installments.
Protests broke out at the Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa and South campuses, leading to damage to university property and injuries to staff and security personnel. On Monday evening, a group of students on the Qwaqwa campus were allegedly guilty of vandalism and arson. “Two members of staff were assaulted and several security officers suffered injuries, with three remaining in hospital,” Loader said.
The university condemned the violence, saying such actions “undermine the safety, well-being and values of the university community.”
UFS management has since obtained a preliminary injunction banning unlawful conduct on all campuses. The Qwaqwa campus remains closed due to the extent of the damage, while academic staff will return on a phased basis once safety assessments are completed.
A representative of the Qwaqwa CSRC said that although the situation had calmed down, many students were stranded. “Most students who could afford to leave have gone home. Others are staying with friends or at a church that helped us. The university has provided nothing – no transportation, no accommodation, nothing,” he said.
He added that students were not consulted before the decision to vacate properties. “We were told by email that students had to leave within 24 hours.”
The SRC welcomed the agreement to extend provisional registration for a further two years, but said concerns remain over student safety and financial difficulties. “We are relieved that provisional registration will continue for the time being, but the university must do better to protect students and understand their realities,” the SRC representative said.
For the time being, academic activities on all campuses have been suspended until further notice.
TimesLIVE
Gugulethu Mashinini
www.timeslive.co.za