Exams are a stressful enough affair, but if you’re writing at UCT in the coming weeks then get ready for some extreme security measures.

The university has now erected a massive tent on its rugby field, but that’s not all they have planned.

Students can expect heavy police and security presence, with many expecting the recent protests on campus to spill over into exam time.

Below from IOL:

In scenes more reminiscent of a military quarantine than an examination venue, UCT’s sports fields featured massive marquee tents ringed in by crowd-control permeter fencing ahead of examinations set to start on Wednesday.

Scores of security personnel in riot gear, some accompanied by guard dogs like Rottweilers and German Shepherds, maintained a heavy presence at the campus on Monday, even as a group of angry students traversed the narrow corridor between the fences leading towards the subway under the M3 leading to the institution’s Middle Campus.

Access to the campus is being strictly controlled, especially in the light of weeks of violent protests.

The move has not sat well with many students, and SRC President Karabo Khakhau hit back at the massive security presence:

“Some students have phobias for dogs, the environment is not conducive they need to introspect and talk to us to find solutions that will make satisfy everyone.”

Over on social media, the decision was also met with derision and anger:

Seipati Tshabalala tweeted: “I refuse to write my **Final** exams in a tent with dogs patrolling me! I refuse to carry a student card for random spot checks of my identity. Apartheid is supposedly over so I refuse to be subjected to this rubbish in 2017!!”

“I don’t know whether to cry or laugh at UCT’s idea of writing exams at the rugby fields. Somehow I just believe writing an exam in a tent is not as safe, quiet and calm as the management would claim. Let’s wait and see,” posted Khangwelo Matodzi.

I guess we will have to wait and see just how far protesters will go in order to advance their agenda during these exams, but it sure looks like UCT is preparing to meet fire with fire.

Good luck and be safe out there.

[sources:iol&timeslive]