Three virus-struck universities decide to put all teaching online

THREE universities are preparing to move all of their teaching online following virus outbreaks among students.

Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University are moving their teaching entirely online from today until at least Oct 30.

“This is the right decision,” said Martyn Moss, the University College Union regional official.

“Unfortunately, Manchester’s universities are moving online to manage outbreaks that could have been prevented had they listened to us sooner. Hundreds of students who did not have to move into student accommodation are now self-isolating without their familiar support network.”

In an email to staff, Sheffield University also said it would suspend face-toface teaching until at least Oct 19, other than for clinical courses.

The university minister yesterday said it was “unacceptable” for universities to charge more than £9,000 in tuition fees if students had a substandard experience and low quality teaching.

Michelle Donelan said that if they are

“not providing the quality, then they cannot command that price”.

Speaking at an Commons select committee hearing, Ms Donelan said: “Universities are autonomous. If they feel they are not providing that quality, then they can set a lower tuition fees, we only set the maximum. We are very clear they need to provide that quality but in terms of tuition and also the wider support that students deserve.”

She said that officials at the Department for Education were monitoring the quality of tuition provided by universities as the term progresses.