The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) has once again written to the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Nana K. Poku, of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Pietermaritzburg to seek clarity on a number of urgent questions DASO submitted regarding the academic programme during the level 3 lockdown.
While we appreciate the initial response Prof Poku sent following our letter which sought clarity on the phasing-in of 33% of students on campuses as per Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s directive, we are not satisfied with the fact that many of our questions related to e-learning have not been answered.
DASO seeks urgent clarification on the following matters:
- Many students have not yet received data packages and are unable to access the internet;
- Some of those who have received their data packages are experiencing limited network coverage in remote areas where they reside;
- A number of NSFAS-funded students are still waiting for their learning material despite online learning already being underway; and
- The university is yet to address how residence fees are going to be structured for the current academic year.
DASO recognises the urgent plight of students who are being left behind and we call on the university to immediately provide those students with a proposed plan to address these issues that are preventing them completing their studies.
We will continue to follow up with the university and offer our assistance in a bid to rescue the academic year.