Unisa students have launched an online petition demanding the institution gives them their certificates.

According to an IoL report, some students claim that despite passing their respective courses months ago, they are yet to receive word on whether there will be a certificate handover of any sort.

Several students are unable to work as they cannot apply for jobs.

Others are stuck in other countries as a result of the matter.

Odete Jones started the online petition, which will be handed over to management. Jones, who spent the last four years studying towards her teaching degree, said she had exhausted all channels in trying to get word from Unisa or management.

‘I have lodged a formal complaint with the Ombudsman at Unisa and am playing a game of tag,’ she said.

‘We are unable to get jobs or register with professional bodies who won't accept anything other than the certificate! In the case of SACE, for teachers, we will get a temporary number and would then need to pay again for a permanent number. Some students need to immigrate, and some have lost positions as they cannot show they have their degrees,’ she noted.

‘How long does it take to print and send certificates? The university is infringing on our rights and using Covid as an excuse for dismal and pathetic service delivery,’ Jones said. 

Full IoL report