Please find attached soundbite by Chantel King MP.
The DA calls on Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to urge institutions of higher learning to conduct impact assessments on the consequences of rolling blackouts on teaching and learning.
The DA has received numerous complaints from students over the past two weeks. Many were in a panic as institutions did not allow them to resubmit assessments or rewrite online tests after they had been affected by blackouts. As a consequence of the rolling blackouts, students are faced with continued disruptions to connectivity. In times of Covid-19, students are heavily dependent on WiFi, data and learning devices such as cellphones and laptops.
There is no doubt that the rolling blackouts will now negatively impact students’ grades as many failed to meet crucial assignment deadlines due to Eskom’s incompetence.
The DA, therefore, calls on Minister Nzimande to implement the following measures:
- To engage with colleges and universities to assess the impact of rolling blackouts on students’ academic performance.
- Consolidate a report from institutions that details how blackouts affect students, how they will be assisted and if there is a need to extend the academic year.
- Implement a clear plan to manage and allow for academic calendar flexibility as load shedding will be a chronic problem with seemingly no end in sight.
- Allow institutions to implement a clear ‘load shedding policy’ with regards to academic deadlines. There is a need for a clear stance on the way forward for online assessment expectations and load shedding consequences.
While the blame for the rolling blackouts should be placed squarely at the feet of Eskom and Minister Nzimande’s ANC government – the lack of flexibility from higher learning institutions during these times is concerning.
The country is in crucial need of skilled graduates to positively contribute to the economy. Blackouts will negatively impact student performance and further exacerbate the skills shortage crisis.
The Department of Higher Education must do everything in its power to protect the future skills of our country and ensure students are not left behind due to circumstance out of there control.