A University cannot exist without its students. So why have UNISA ignored us, their students, until right before exams.

Due to Covid-19, this year UNISA students wrote our examinations online during the first semester. There was talk of this IRIS invigilation back then but ultimately once exams started that was the last we heard of it.

Fast forward to the examination period now and, ignoring the late delivery of study materials, UNISA has informed us within weeks, some within only days, of the implementation of the IRIS invigilation system.

Despite having the entire semester to phase and introduce students to this system we were left in the dark. 

Most people who have been using their cellphones throughout the year as means of their only form to connect to unisa have now been told within days of our exams that our phones are useless. We have been told to "borrow laptops with a camera from a relative or friend". That even those with desktop computers need a webcam. 

As a result some subjects decided to defer their exams until early December stating the need for us to get used to IRIS. However, other subjects have not. This means most people who do not have access to the proper equipment are therefore ineligible to write their respective exams. This is absolutely not fair!

NOTE that it is not in my interest or in the interest of others to postpone exams. Those who have signed this petition because they are unprepared and need more time, please unsign and do not share. That is not the purpose of this message.

Within two days most students were told to take a practice exam to help teach us about the IRIS system yet those who tried found there was a password needed and then finally once provided with the password, it was incorrect. As a result students have become increasingly anxious and now, instead of studying, are trying to work out how to use this system and those who are less fortunate were told to "borrow from a relative". 

Some comments from students include:

"How can Unisa implement a system few days before exams. Its ridiculous to think every student will have access to a webcam never mind a pc. A lot of the students use their phones to study and now Unisa expects them to beg, borrow and steal otherwise they cant write the papers. " 

"Students need to get the Chair person involved or the exam department. By us simply expressing our concerns here dont help not one bit.
 The only time universities take notice is when they are on the news or sued"

"Firstly my problem was access to a webcam and mic but I was able to borrow from a neighbor(keep in mind they also need their laptop at some point), after obtaining it I'm struggling to work around this new IRIS system and no one in charge is willing to help.
It really is unfair...im more worried about the effect this is going to have on my future at this point. All the other universities(UJ, Wits, UP, UFS) I have applied to are awaiting my end of year exam marks in order to finalize my applications but now we are being told by UNISA that we won't be able to write unless their weird conditions are met.... That time i only have until the first week of January to submit the marks of my exams and the way things are going it seems like I might just not meet the deadline because UNISA does not have its business in order
 If Unisa doesn't let us write exams with a different approach my life will be in Shambles... I really hope they can fix this."

These are just three examples of the student sentiment out of thousands with the same or similar message.

There are even more reports of students who have tried to download the IRIS system and it will not work, download etc. 

The right to write examinations should be fair and equal. However, we are put in a position now where many of our fellow students will not be able to write their exams and many students who don't know how to use the IRIS system will also end up failing and having to have to spend another semester (at best) by deferring or by failing (Unisa have not communicated with us effectively to know). I also saw a comment from someone who tried to apply for a deferral as they did not have access to a computer and they were subsequently asked to submit the required documents providing evidence! 

In closing I think that it's completely unfair and unacceptable that some departments are not allowing their students until early December by postponing their respective exams, to get the required equipment when other departments ARE! Exams should be written how they were in May/June or students should be given more time, through postponement, in order to make the necessary arrangements to allow them to write. 

As students we have a voice, and we will only be heard if we stick together. Unisa keeps throwing curveballs at us at the last minute and expecting us to comply but this last one is not fair. We have a right to be heard and put the ball in our court. As mentioned in the first few lines... the university doesn't exist if there are no students. We must use our power to speak up for what is fair and right. 

Thank you to anyone who reads this, who signs this, who agrees and who shares this. For those that would like to add further information please do so!