The shift from contact classes to online classes prompted universities to provide students with monthly data allowances and learning devices for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) beneficiaries.
Things have taken a different turn as most institutions of higher learning have adopted mandatory vaccination policies.
Higher Education is gearing up to ensure that there are systems in place so that this academic year is as seamless as possible.
In an interview, Higher Health CEO, Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia shared:
Our academic year needs to change by bringing people together in classrooms and institutions of higher learning are considering bringing this reality to our students.
One of the largest contact universities in South Africa, the University of Pretoria, has programmes that have close to one thousand students. This high number of students makes it difficult for the institution as it does not have enough venues available to accommodate its students without breaking the regulations that are in place.
The national agency clearly stated that it is following what the government has put in together at this moment.
Higher Health said they will be looking at the following issues: ventilation, mask-wearing, and vaccination.
Ahluwalia has considered both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff members as the agency aims to strike a balance by ensuring that there are guidelines.
Higher Health has begun a process of consultation and soon there will be announcements around the guideline regulations from the agency.
