LECTURES ON ICE
Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande talks about plans for the reopening tertiary education and training institutions and the contributions made by science and innovation in the fight against Covid-19.
Higher education is the latest sector to delay its reopening dates – with 16 universities still finalising their academic years.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande announced yesterday that universities will start the academic year between early March and mid-April this year.
The reopening of higher education institutions is also aligned with the start of the 2021 academic year for first-time entrants with the availability of matric examination results, he said.
“I will provide further information on plans for 2021 at a later stage, following engagement with institutions and aligned with the release of the department of basic education NSC examination results,” he said.
Nzimande added that it was critical to ensure that health and safety protocols were in place for the registration period at universities and this will require clear and timeous communication with returning and new students.
Meanwhile, he said significant efforts have been made across all institutions to ensure that a fair opportunity has been provided to all students to complete the 2020 academic year.
“This has included an inevitable extended period into the 2021 calendar year for the majority of institutions.”
In addition, the department has provided support to institutions through the reprioritisation of funds into a Covid responsiveness grant.
This grant supported universities to implement multimodal teaching and learning and campus safety plans.
“As a department, we are continuing to monitor institutions to keep track of academic and health and safety matters.”
He applauded all academic staff and management teams of universities who put in additional efforts to support the necessary changes to the academic year.
“I also commend the many students in the system who have pushed hard to complete their studies, sometimes in very difficult conditions.”
While many institutions have completed the formal teaching programmes for the academic year, Nzimande said some were still finishing academic programmes and providing catch-up opportunities for students.
“In some institutions, assessments and practicals are still to be completed in some programmes and, in others, supplementary examinations are underway.”
He said 10 institutions have already completed all teaching and learning activities, including the examinations in 2020, finalising special examinations and some practical assessments.
The remaining 16 would wrap up the academic year at different times and forms, depending on their own timetables, and using a variety of methods to support students. Those who can study from home were requested to carry on.