“Dit is ‘n kwade dag as geweld op tersiêre instellings begin dikteer en as ‘n suksesvolle onderhandelingsmiddel bevestig word. Dit is ongelukkig die boodskap wat uitgestuur word met die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland (UWK) se besluit om eksamens te kanselleer en studente, buiten dié in hul finale jaar, bloot op grond van ‘n jaarpunt te beoordeel,” sê dr. Pieter Mulder, leier van die VF Plus.
“Die VF Plus glo daar kon alternatiewe reëlings getref word om die eksamens te laat voortgaan. Die owerhede kan tog nie magteloos staan voor ‘n klein groepie geweldenaars wat hulle wil op hierdie wyse op die meerderheid studente en dosente afdwing nie. Wat hier gebeur het, durf nie weer toegelaat te word nie,” sê dr. Mulder.
Nadat die eksamens, wat verlede week sou begin uitgestel is tot in vroeg Desember, het die UWK teen die afgelope naweek finaal toegegee aan die druk van stakende studente en ‘n skrywe is Saterdag aan studente gerig waarin gesê is die eksamens is gekanselleer.
Die skrywe lui onder meer dat die besluit geneem is omdat die klein klompie stakende studente dit op verskeie platforms duidelik gemaak het hulle sal niemand toelaat om eksamen te skryf nie. Die besluit is blykbaar geneem in die belang van die veiligheid van alle betrokkenes.
Dr. Mulder sê indien daar voortgegaan sou word met die soort van toegewings, kan dit die geloofwaardigheid van die betrokke instellings se kwalifikasies ernstig in die gedrang bring.
Dit is betreurenswaardig dat akademiese uitnemendheid die slagoffer geword het van anargie en intimidasie. Dit stuur ook ‘n verkeerde en gevaarlike sein aan ander akademiese instellings in Suid-Afrika naamlik dat ‘n klein groepie oproermakers hul wil op die meerderheid kan afdwing.
Wat dalk nou ‘n oorwinning vir ‘n klein groepie studente by een universiteit is, vestig ‘n patroon van optrede wat in die toekoms die hele Suid-Afrika kan benadeel as dit op alle vlakke so herhaal word.
Kontaknommers: 083 419 5403 / 082 674 6670
Hier volg die skrywe van die universiteit aan studente:
FROM THE REGISTRAR’S DESK
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON EXAMINATIONS
The situation at UWC has deteriorated to the point that we are deeply concerned about the continuation of the examination in its current format.
The latest developments at CPUT which threatened to spill over to UWC, together with many claims made by the protesting students, in meetings and on various social media platforms that they WILL NOT allow examinations to take place, have necessitated the University management to deliberate over their decision to continue with examinations on Monday, 16 November 2016. In an attempt to ensure the safety of our students, management, together with deans, deputy deans, other senior academics from the faculties, and endorsed by Senate Executive Committee, have considered alternative ways to allow students to complete this academic year. We acknowledge that this is not ideal, however, given the abnormality of the situation we have no option but to offer students an opportunity that will avoid any personal harm.
The following plan of action has been decided upon:
• All final year students across all faculties will participate in some form of assessment. Where the assessment involves sit-down examinations the venue(s) will be off campus. Please note that a time table with other logistical details will be sent to you by Saturday, 14 November 2015 (by 14.00). At this stage it is envisaged that the current time table for these final year modules will continue to be followed as initially planned, unless otherwise communicated. Supplementary exams will follow this exam session; and Senate Discretionary Assessments (SDAs) will take place in January 2016.
• Students in other years of study (not final year) will be permitted to carry their CAM assessment outcomes as their final results.
• Those students who believe that their CAM status may not be a true reflection of their performance for 2015 may apply to their faculty for an additional assessment to be taken in January 2016, to allow you an opportunity to improve your results. Kindly contact the faculty helpdesk (number below) by Friday, 20 November 2015 during normal business hours.
• Those final year students who are from outside the Western Cape and may have already left for home, and/or those who previously opted to write their exams in January 2016 will be able to take their assessment in January 2016. This time table will be emailed to you in due course.
• Students registered in the following professional programmes should contact their faculty directly for clarity on specifics related to your examinations:
Nursing, Social Work, Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Natural Medicine, Biokinetics; Accounting; Dentistry.
Faculty Help Desks:
Arts – 021-959 2152
CHS – 021-959 2852
Dentistry – 021-937 3000
Education – 021-959 2276
EMS – 021-959 3164
Law – 012-959 3291
Natural Sciences – 021-959 3426
All enquiries related to Monday’s examinations can be directed to the University’s Contact Centre on Saturday, 14 November 2015 from 09.00-16.30. The number of the Contact Centre is 021-959 3900/3901. The Contact Centre will operate normally from Monday onwards.
Please note that the graduation ceremonies scheduled for 11 December 2015 have been cancelled.
We sincerely apologise for all the frustration, trauma and stress the recent activities have caused, and wish to assure you that all our efforts have been focused on allowing staff and students to successfully complete the academic year.
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