The number of online petitions stemmed from an admission requirement for the Grade R Teaching Diploma qualification, which stated that students would need to submit proof of employment.
The students took this route as they were not happy and wanted the issue to be addressed.
As Unisa is aware of the online petition by its students, internal processes to address this matter have started and the outcome will be communicated to the affected students.
The qualification had been introduced for the first time for applications in 2021 and registration in 2022.
Unisa has explained that students who have applied for the qualification are required to submit proof of employment as this qualification is primarily for the needs of Grade R practitioners who are currently in the field.
In a statement, the university said:
The purpose of the qualification is to improve the status of the practitioners that are already employed in Grade R and allow them to access and gain credit toward the Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase Teaching.
The Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase Teaching is the minimum requirement for Grade R teachers.
The university added that this will help students acquire employment in the public sector after obtaining the qualification.
Unisa has confirmed that the qualification will be offered for five years, with the last intake in 2025 as it has a specific purpose.
