UFS and Student Leaders Agree to Phase Out Registration in 2 Years

(The Post News)- The University of the Free State (UFS) has reached an agreement with student leaders to phase out provisional registration over the next two years, following a week of violent protests that disrupted academic activities and led to the closure of the QwaQwa campus.

The protest came after the UFS Management’s decision to end provisional registration, a system that allowed students to register despite having outstanding fees.

The university’s executive committee, Institutional Student Representative Council, and Campus Student Representative Councils (CSRCs) from all three campuses met on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, and agreed that provisional registration will be gradually phased out between 2026 and 2027.

According to UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader, the agreement was reached “in a spirit of working toward a fairer, more equitable, and sustainable financial support system for all academically deserving students.”

With the new agreement, students with debt of up to R70,000 will be allowed to register, and all registered students will have access to their academic records regardless of outstanding balances. “The outcomes of the meeting reflect the university’s ongoing commitment and ensure that all students are supported within a financially sustainable framework,” said Loader.

In addition, Loader stated that the agreement confirms the university’s dedication to maintaining UFS as a national asset for upcoming generations while increasing access through increased financial assistance.

UFS Students Disagree with the New Agreement

While the UFS and student leaders were celebrating, students were frustrated, and they felt disrespected by the SRC. Reports indicate that students and the SRC had agreed to accept nothing but a full comeback of provisional registration.

Tshepo Mathe, a student from the Bloemfontein campus, described the SRC as the “puppets of the university.” He added, “The SRC should be the voice for the students, not side with the university. They act as if they are on our side, then later at the tables, they pin everything on us.”

According to Mathe, the SRC does not respect their voices and suggestions. “On Monday we had a deal with the SRC that we are not going to accept any concession besides bringing back provisional registration fully,” he said.

About the Author

Viki Stuurman

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Hi, I'm Viki Stuurman a journalism graduate currently pursuing an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies at the University of the Free State. I developed a passion for exploring the evolving relationship between media, society, and technology. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong foundation in media ethics, investigative reporting, interviewing, multimedia production and news writing. In addition, I actively contributed to campus publications and worked on various multimedia projects, gaining hands-on experience in both traditional and digital journalism. I believe that journalism is the key to information.

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