On 22 January, the Student Representative Council (SRC) wrote a letter to Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Francis Petersen to address the ongoing financial struggles of students at the University of Pretoria. Many students have been unable to register due to outstanding fees and historical debt, a crisis that the SRC seems determined to tackle. Their letter calls for urgent financial intervention to support students that are facing exclusion due to registration fees and unpaid debts. The SRC emphasised that student debt promotes inequality and inhibits the transformative potential of higher education.
One of the SRC’s primary concerns is the large number of students who have been unable to register for the 2025 academic year due to various financial constraints. In their letter, the SRC calls for the urgent allocation of funds to assist students who cannot afford their registration fees. They emphasised that this is not a new problem. It is one that has persisted despite previous advocacy efforts, including the #FeesMustFall movement. The SRC’s proposal aims to alleviate this burden for students by securing financial relief and pushing for structural changes within the institution.
To address the ongoing crisis, the SRC proposed that students who owe less than R50 000 be allowed to register while also urging the university to allocate a portion of their annual budget to help clear student debt over time. This initiative aims to provide long-term relief and make sure that students can focus on their education without the burden of financial obligations. The SRC also pointed out that other institutions such as the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have made significant strides in assisting students through similar financial programs. These examples have served as benchmarks that the SRC believes UP should strive to match.
Following the open letter, a meeting between the SRC and Prof. Petersen took place on 30 January. During this meeting, the urgent financial needs of students as well as possible solutions were discussed. The SRC assures that they will provide updates on the outcomes of this meeting in due course. Their commitment to helping students remains their top priority, and they continue to push for the university to adopt policies that will provide tangible support to those struggling financially.
The financial crisis affecting students at UP is a pressing issue that requires immediate intervention. The SRC’s appeal to the Vice-Chancellor underscores the urgent need for institutional commitment to student financial support. By following the examples set by other universities, UP has the opportunity to implement meaningful policies that ensure access to education for all. As the SRC continues to push for solutions, students wait for concrete actions that will determine their academic futures.
