Classes at the University of the Free State UFS came to a halt last week as students protested against the universitys decision to discontinue provisional registration from 2026, a move student leaders say will exclude poor and working-class students from higher education.
The university confirmed its council approved the decision on September 26, ending the long-standing system that allowed students to register and start studying while settling their fees later.
Students will need to be fully registered once their fees or funding have been confirmed, said UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader.