Higher Education spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi says the terms and conditions surrounding the registration of students with university debt is still unclear and talks are yet to be held.
This comes amid calls for the Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande to halt academic and financial exclusions for the 2023 academic year.
The Foundation for Education and Social Justice has urged Minister Nzimande to stop financial and academic exclusions for students in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on university students.
“Student debt continues to be a problem and it has affected many, but the office of the higher education minister has the power to settle the fees, so we call on the minister and his deputy to intervene to ensure that students are cleared and can continue with their studies.”
The organisation has stated that the pandemic had a tremendous toll on student’s in the county and as a result as a result of a lack of resources needed for online learning students have been underperforming.
“Many students had to transition back to physically attending classes which affected them in a way that they failed dismally, and the poor performance now meant that they are unable to complete their studies,” said the foundation.
According to the DHET, the possibility of students being financially and academically exempt is up for parliamentary discussion and a statement will be made once an outcome has been reached.
The department said that graduates who still owed fees would be allowed access to their results, however will not be allowed to receive their certificates unless debts are settled.
"We must wait for the minister's announcement on the process itself and then we will take it from there, but institutions have got mechanisms to deal with any type of funding, including those who are not funded by NSFAS," says Mnisi.
With registration periods commencing at universities and other higher institutions in the country, many have expressed that a decision and formal directive needs to be announced with urgence.
