The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has denied that dental classes for 2026 have not yet started – despite protesting students saying lectures for Dental Science, Dental Assisting, Dental Technology and other programmes have been delayed, reports IOL.
Many of the students, who have been protesting since Monday, say they have been sitting in residence with no academic activity since 2025.
They have vowed to continue the campus shutdown until 1 April, or until they receive an actionable response from the vice-chancellor.
Although some of the students are due to graduate this year, others are first-year students who have only recently arrived at the institution for the 2026 academic year.
CPUT has maintained that dental programmes remain in place and that it is engaging with the relevant professional body to resolve outstanding issues.
Spokesperson Lauren Kansley said that in June last year, the Dental Technology Department had to vacate its premises at Tygerberg Hospital at the request of the Department of Health.
“CPUT immediately secured new premises, which had to be completely repurposed for Dental Sciences training. These venues are now complete and await certification from various authorities like the City of Cape Town, CHE, DHET, SADTC, and HPCSA,” she said.
In October, the SADTC did a programme review and site visit at the Bellville campus but was unhappy with the university laboratories, deeming them unsuitable for the training of Dental Technology students, she added.
“CPUT was then asked to continue with theoretical work only. It is important to note that CPUT has not lost accreditation for any of its programmes.”
A first-year student shared images of communication between students and the university, indicating proposed start dates for classes, commitments that students claim have not been met. They were also told the university had attempted to arrange placements at other institutions, like the Durban University of Technology and the Tshwane University of Technology.
“However, the SA Dental Technicians Council (SADTC) reportedly did not approve this arrangement, which is deeply concerning because registration with the SADTC is required for us to practise after graduation.”
Students also allege there has also been an ongoing conflict between CPUT and the SADTC since 2020 regarding curriculum and assessment standards.
CPUT has confirmed the “stumbling block” with the SADTC, saying it started in 2020.
“The SADTC previously refused to register graduated students, whereas originally, this was done automatically upon completion of the qualification.
“The SADTC has now imposed new rules that affect the university’s ability to fulfil its mandated function: to teach, assess, and graduate students when they qualify.”
Kansley said this has had an impact on many students who had graduated but had still not been registered with the SADTC.
“Interventions were put in place after meetings with the Departments of Higher Education, the Council on Higher Education, the SADTC, and other universities of technology offering dental technology, to ensure the affected students could eventually register. We are currently still engaging in this process.”
The SADTC had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
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