The Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Zululand has raised concerns about growing academic delays caused by ongoing water shortages at the institution.
Teaching and learning activities have been suspended due to persistent water supply problems affecting uMhlathuze and surrounding communities.
The disruptions have reportedly continued for more than a month, raising concerns about the impact on students’ academic progress as key assessment periods approach.
Ongoye SRC president Sazi Ndlela warned that if the water crisis is not resolved soon, students could struggle to meet the requirements needed to sit for their examinations.
Ndlela said the suspension of classes had disrupted both teaching and learning, leaving students unable to attend lectures while academic staff were also unable to continue with normal teaching activities.
He said the situation was particularly concerning because students are expected to write tests in August and examinations in October.
Students also need to achieve an average of at least 40% to qualify for their examinations, a requirement that could become difficult to meet if teaching remains suspended.
“Classes were suspended, which has negatively affected the teaching and learning process,” Ndlela said.
He added that the interruption meant students had stopped attending classes and lecturers had been unable to continue teaching, ultimately placing students’ academic performance at risk.
The SRC is calling for the water crisis to be addressed urgently to allow academic activities to resume and prevent further disruption to the university’s academic calendar.