UZ allows unregistered students to write final exams

The UZ has allowed unregistered students to sit for their final examinations, despite not having paid fees. This comes amid escalating economic hardships that have seen thousands of students deferring their studies and hundreds more dropping out.

In recent years, the country's top university was only allowing students who would have paid 60 percent of their fees to sit for final exams.

"The vice-chancellor has directed that all unregistered students who have been attending lectures and have fulfilled all the coursework requirements as determined by the respective departments will be permitted to sit for the end of semester examinations commencing on November 16, 2016," the university said in a statement.

"You are required to pay a minimum of $20 and register by November 4, 2016."

However, the university said it will withhold the results of students until they pay their full fees. The move received mixed reactions, with UZ Student Representative Council vice president Zivai Mhetu saying although the institution had shown compassion, authorities should go beyond that.

"Unfortunately, these students won't be able to access their results meaning they can't go to the next level and ultimately that is the end to their academic career. That's why we are advocating for learn first and pay later policy," he said.

The development at UZ comes as students at State institutions, namely Midlands State University (MSU) have engaged in demonstrations against late registration penalties.

MSU students pay between $600 and $1 600 per semester for both undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes.        

The students were irked when the university recently requested that unregistered students pay $2 penalty for every day passed without registering for the semester.