UNISA

My UNISA story-

I started my teaching degree in 2016 BEd senior and FET phase through UNISA correspondence since i was working and started off with a few modules (3 or 4) to balance working and studying considering it takes alot of dedication sacrifices being able to juggle work school social life etc. And then slowly increasing modules as i got used to it.

Studying now 4 years with excitement that next year (2021) i will be graduating. Taking into consideration i have a full time job i did not take leave for over a year trying to accumulate enough leave to do my practicals in order to graduate which was previously 2 practicals. Knowing i have 14 modules left which is inclusive of my practicals (previously 2) i was ready to be a certified teacher by 2021.

Its been recently communicated that UNISA has phased out various modules in education replacing it with new modules which includes practicals. Giving learners with over 20 credits the option to either stay on current programme or new programme however please note the modules were completely phased out and replaced by new ones regardless of you remaining on current course or migrating to new one .

Practical modules have been changed from 2 to 4 which cannot be done concurrently however can take 2 in one year . please note practicals are 5 weeks long (25 days) therefore 100 days for all 4 modules 50 days for 2.

Before modules were phased out i was supposed to do 2 practicals in which received confirmation from HR as well as my managers and approval for 25 consecutive leave days for my practicals in which i have sacrificed rest and leave to have sufficient leave days enough for 5 weeks . 1 practical

After multiple emails and calling with no answer or response i finally got through to someone on the line and explained my situation asking for an alternative and it was confirmed that nothing can be done . either take two practicals in a year (50 days) or one per year

Leaving me with two options- either u resign my job to complete practicals or extend my degree by 4 years to do one practical a year since im working and cannot take more than 25 days of leave

Not only is UNISA's staff not helpful but also i feel it they should have considered 3rd and 4th year students and have solutions instead of a simple "there is nothing we can do , that is your personal problem"

Since UNISA is a institution that is correspondence arent they supposed to consider those working .

Of all my years studying with UNISA having no staff to assist of when there are very bad attitudes not being helpful at all i have never been this disappointed in UNISA and despondent.