The University of the Free State's (UFS) EFF Student Command in Bloemfontein has called for the immediate postponement of the academic calendar to allow NSFAS students time to register and wait for the extended registration period to end.

The institution declared its readiness for the academic year on Monday (12/2_. Only 8,100 first-year students were admitted from 250,000 applications received.

Speaking at the media briefing, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Francis Peterson told the media the majority of students who have not registered are waiting to confirm their funding with NSFAS. Peterson also said the institution will assist returning students who did not qualify for NSFAS.

The UFS’ EFFSC urged students who have not registered yet not to go home as it had made emergency residence provisions for them. The EFFSC said it is disheartening to see classes starting while other students have not yet received meal allowances and book allowances to procure study material.

The Bloemfontein-based student command said the delay in disbursing these allowances perpetuates class division and favours the wealthy over the marginalised in terms of study material and readiness for the academic year. It also stated it will be launching the #NoStudentLeftBehind campaign to pressure faculties into increasing module caps.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg/mc