Ntuzuma students gears up to return to institutions amid Covid-19, after Higher Education Minister gives go-ahead
By Mcebo Makhaye
Tertiary students from Ntuzuma township, north of Durban, are willing to return to their institutions after the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande announced a maximum of 33% of the student population will be allowed to return, while adhering to the safety protocols amid Covid-19.
This came after Nzimande announced in a media briefing, that the reopening of universities would be done in phases to ensure that there was adequate social-distancing.
Since the novel coronavirus hit South Africa’s shores, universities have been left with no option but to switch to remote multi-modal teaching and learning during the lockdown period, to save the academic year.
Nzimande said his department together with Mobile Network Operators had successfully negotiated in zero-rating the access to institutional websites, but some of the embedded content like YouTube may be charged for.
Furthermore, National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) beneficiaries and Funza Lushaka bursary scheme recipients had received 10GB daytime and 20GB night-time data, as the education data bundles for three months.
Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, Emmanuel Nkhwanyane said he welcomed the e-learning strategy to resume the academic year, although he was unfamiliar with digital migration.
“Our first semester has been delayed by this virus. And I laud the department for introducing the online teaching and learning plan,” he said.
Nkhwanyane added that despite unfamiliar circumstances, regarding the implementation of e-learning strategy he was keen to adapt to new ways of teaching and learning.
Maharishi Institute student, Sizwe Ngidi said he slammed the Higher Education department for letting them down, giving more opportunities and financial assistance to university students compared to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students.
“Although, we are learning but I lament the department for giving special treatment to university students, while TVET students [we] being treated unjustly (sic),” he said.
Ngidi added that he wished for equality in tertiary education and commended the online learning method to regain time lost due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Higher Health has launched the tool called “HealthCheck” to assist the universities to fast-track Covid-19 results.
Sources:
Emmanuel Nkhwanyane- 067 012 4269/062 307 9336
Sizwe Ngidi- 079 673 7980
