AS WALTER Sisulu University (WSU) reopens today and classes resume tomorrow, the university will be battling to save the academic year by realigning its timetables.
Thousands of WSU students, many from low income homes, hit by the seven-week strike by lecturing staff, fear they may lose the academic year.
WSU spokeswoman Angela Church said the September holiday, usually a 10-day break between the third and fourth terms, would be cancelled to make up for lost teaching time.
Church added classes would also be taught on Saturday mornings and public holidays, while exams would be delayed and would continue into mid-December.
“There are a set number of teaching days required for the various programmes at WSU.
“Using this realignment strategy we will be able to meet these requirements and in so doing save the academic year as well as the second semester for semester courses,” Church said.
She added WSU management believed saving the academic year was the most crucial priority for students.
“We have been monitoring this issue through our Facebook page, and it’s clear the students’ biggest fear is losing the academic year.”
More than 1800 employees affiliated to the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and National Tertiary Education Union downed tools demanding pay increases of between 8% to 10%.
The university had offered an increase of 4.5%
The Daily Dispatch reported on Friday that WSU management had apparently tabled a revised salary increase of 5%, but this could not be independently confirmed.
Details on the agreement are due to be released this week.
Nehawu provincial secretary Xolani Malamlela said stakeholders had negotiated the terms of agreement well into the night on Friday, with the meeting finally drawing to a close before midnight.
He said in addition to the increase, it was agreed that striking employees would be paid their August salaries this week.
The situation at WSU became increasingly dire in recent weeks after the university was completely shut down in its seventh week of the strike last week.
Most of the 21000 students attending WSU were asked to vacate the university premises two weeks ago.
President Jacob Zuma’s office last week appointed Collins Chabane, the Minister in the Presidency for Performance and Evaluation, to coordinate discussions with an intervention team formed by political parties, student formations and church and community leaders.
Church said staff and students needed to make arrangements to get back to WSU.
“All staff and students are requested to return to the university so business may continue.
“We appeal to all our stakeholders to work together in ensuring our university returns to stability as soon as possible.” — Additional reporting by Zisanda Nkonkobe / Msindisi Fengu.
Plan to save ’lost’ year for students
AS WALTER Sisulu University (WSU) reopens today and classes resume tomorrow, the university will be battling to save the academic year by realigning its timetables.
Thousands of WSU students, many from low income homes, hit by the seven-week strike by lecturing staff, fear they may lose the academic year.
WSU spokeswoman Angela Church said the September holiday, usually a 10-day break between the third and fourth terms, would be cancelled to make up for lost teaching time.
Church added classes would also be taught on Saturday mornings and public holidays, while exams would be delayed and would continue into mid-December.
“There are a set number of teaching days required for the various programmes at WSU.
“Using this realignment strategy we will be able to meet these requirements and in so doing save the academic year as well as the second semester for semester courses,” Church said.
She added WSU management believed saving the academic year was the most crucial priority for students.
“We have been monitoring this issue through our Facebook page, and it’s clear the students’ biggest fear is losing the academic year.”
More than 1800 employees affiliated to the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and National Tertiary Education Union downed tools demanding pay increases of between 8% to 10%.
The university had offered an increase of 4.5%
The Daily Dispatch reported on Friday that WSU management had apparently tabled a revised salary increase of 5%, but this could not be independently confirmed.
Details on the agreement are due to be released this week.
Nehawu provincial secretary Xolani Malamlela said stakeholders had negotiated the terms of agreement well into the night on Friday, with the meeting finally drawing to a close before midnight.
He said in addition to the increase, it was agreed that striking employees would be paid their August salaries this week.
The situation at WSU became increasingly dire in recent weeks after the university was completely shut down in its seventh week of the strike last week.
Most of the 21000 students attending WSU were asked to vacate the university premises two weeks ago.
President Jacob Zuma’s office last week appointed Collins Chabane, the Minister in the Presidency for Performance and Evaluation, to coordinate discussions with an intervention team formed by political parties, student formations and church and community leaders.
Church said staff and students needed to make arrangements to get back to WSU.
“All staff and students are requested to return to the university so business may continue.
“We appeal to all our stakeholders to work together in ensuring our university returns to stability as soon as possible.” — Additional reporting by Zisanda Nkonkobe / Msindisi Fengu.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos