It has been more than a week that the North-West University (NWU) lecturers and students have been using the online platform for teaching and learning to salvage the 2020 academic year. The intervention comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue until further notice.
According to Louis Jacobs, the NWU spokesperson, the vice-chancellor of NWU Prof. Dan Kgwadi, said the university does not know how long it will continue, given the uncertainty surrounding the global pandemic. However, he said, distance learning would be an alternative option for students.
He added that even when the country gets to the point where the lockdown regulations may be relaxed and institutions are permitted to resume contact-based lectures, the university would have to adopt a phased approach.
“This would mean that not all students will be allowed back at the same time due to the national guidelines regarding gatherings. Social distancing and screening may still have to be adhered to,” Jacobs explained.
Kgwadi added that the institution is constantly handling adjustments that must be made and are aware of the inequality of accessibility. “The NWU remains conscious of the issue of inequality among our students and is working tirelessly to put measures in place to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to complete the academic year successfully,” he said.
To date, at least 3 500 laptops have been sourced for students. The recipients are students who have been identified to have access to electricity and secure connectivity and need a device to complete their qualification by the end of the 2020 academic year.
For disadvantaged students who may not be in their final year of study, NWU has launched the Covid-19 Response Fund. The objective of the initiative is to assist the students by securing funds from stakeholders to help to purchase more devices for the students.
The NWU has provided the option of distance learning to students who do not have access to electricity or connectivity. “In due course, the university will start delivering study material to their homes, where they can continue studying and doing assignments.
“Students who cannot yet access the online programme have been informed that submission dates for assessments will be flexible,” said Jacobs.
Prof. Kgwadi encourages students to engage with their lecturers actively and continuously monitor eFundi.
- For information updates, see the NWU website, https://www.nwu.ac.za/coronavirus.
- For enquiries on online learning, go to https://services.nwu.ac.za/?KeepOnTL.
