Fair Exam Access for UNISA CTA Students: Address Systemic Barriers & Extend Opportunities

UNISA Management & SAICA Accreditation Board

We, the undersigned Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (CTA) students at UNISA, urgently appeal for fairness and intervention regarding systemic barriers that have jeopardized our academic progress and exam eligibility. Many of us face disqualification from final exams due to institutional shortcomings and personal hardships beyond our control. We demand the following:

1. Exam Access for Affected Students:

   • Allow students who were unfairly disadvantaged to write their exams, including those impacted by:

     • Late uploads of critical materials (e.g., FAC4862 Tutorial Letter for Test 4).

     • Miscommunication of test schedules (e.g., amended Test 4 timetable not disseminated).

     • Lack of study space (e.g., Building 15 closures).

2. Recognition of Personal Hardships:

   • Illness, bereavement, mental health crises, and financial constraints have derailed many students’ performance in prerequisite modules. These should be considered under force majeure.

3. Data Provision for Remote Learning:

   • Withholding data for August/September undermines access to recorded Teams lectures, violating equitable learning opportunities.

4. Final-Chance Students:

   • For those in their last attempt to qualify for SAICA articles or employment, denial of exam entry could cost them career-critical contracts.

Why This Matters:
UNISA’s mission includes "open access to success," yet repeated administrative failures and rigid policies disproportionately harm CTA students. We stress that these issues are not due to negligence but to systemic gaps and crises deserving compassion.

Our Request:

• Immediate review of exam eligibility criteria for affected students.

• Transparent communication on timetable changes and material uploads.

• Data support reinstatement for remote learning.

• A fair appeals process for students with documented hardships.

By signing, you stand with us in demanding justice for CTA students who deserve a chance to succeed.

#FairAccessForCTA #UNISAJustice

UCASS    Contact the author of the petition