Over 3 000 students from Stellenbosch University (SU) recently signed a change.org petition to suspend face-to-face classes and return to online learning.
The petition was started anonymously on 19 May, and claims that a return to online learning will prevent the spread of Covid-19 at SU.
Stellenbosch University (SU) students have expressed concerns over face-to-face learning with the third wave of Covid-19 approaching. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
“The university is more than capable of suspending all campus activities and moving back to online learning. [A]ll we are asking for is that we have all academic activities to be moved to fully online, to save the lives of those around us,” stated the petition.
Some students have expressed concern over the safety of individuals with comorbidities during the third wave, according to Sinethemba Dlamini, a fourth-year law student. There are also concerns around the lack of social distancing and adherence to safety procedures among students on campus, as well as the inadequacy of the Higher HealthCheck online tool, said Dlamini.
The HealthCheck tool is an online risk assessment tool, which is intended to evaluate the likelihood that the user has been exposed to Covid-19, according to the Higher Health website. Higher Health falls under the national department of higher education and training, according to their website.
“Last year’s way of learning was difficult, but this year is even worse. Trying to balance online and in-person classes has been a nightmare academically,” claimed Dlamini.
Dlamini added that the rising Covid-19 cases in Stellenbosch, coupled with academic pressure, have made this semester “incredibly taxing” for her.
A third-year student, who chose to remain anonymous to avoid conflict, has expressed reservations about returning to online learning. “[I] failed a few modules last year because of how the online learning was set up and an overall lack of motivation [from my side],” she said. However, these concerns are outweighed by the reality of Covid-19, she added. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
The Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC) is constantly monitoring the Covid-19 cases on campus, with contingency plans in place for a possible third wave, according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson of SU.
“Students are at liberty to discuss issues of importance, also via petitions, but should take note of the various forms of official engagement with management, including via the [Student Representative Council (SRC)] and the Academic Affairs Council,” said Viljoen. MatieMedia has reached out to the SRC for comment, but they have not responded by the time of publication.
The deputy vice-chancellor of learning and teaching at SU, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, met with the Academic Affairs Council in the last week of May to discuss the rise Covid-19 cases and concerns among students, according to Viljoen. The outcome of the meeting has yet to be announced.
A fourth-year law student, who chose to remain anonymous to avoid conflict, said that Stellenbosch University’s correspondence surrounding the rise in Covid-19 numbers upset him and many of his peers. This was in reference to the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC) communiques sent to students on 17 and 22 May by Prof Stan du Plessis, chair of the ICBC. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
“I do not have faith in the regulations alone in helping to contain the spread of the virus,” said a fourth-year student at SU, who chose to remain anonymous to avoid conflict.
The student claimed that there is a general consensus on their class WhatsApp group that students are feeling unsafe due to the approaching third wave of Covid-19.