The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has suspended face-to-face lectures at its campuses after reporting a low student turnout at lectures.
Despite 66 per cent of the student population being allowed back on campus since level 2, DUT said a low number of students have been attending in-person lectures since June this year.
In a statement released to students on Thursday, DUT said according to their analysis, most students preferred blended online learning than attending physical lectures on campus.
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“The reason for this seems to be largely related to concerns pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic and more familiarity and flexibility with blended / online learning,” read the statement.
“In view of the apparent low numbers of attendance at mask-to-mask lectures, consideration must be given to managing the situation appropriately so that the university does not over-extend its resources by spending funds on the incorrect assumption that all students who were authorised to return under the revised lockdown regulations have done or intend doing so.”
As of Thursday DUT suspended physical lectures indefinitely except for practical and laboratory work.
Essential academic support facilities like libraries and computer rooms will remain open.
On the other side, DUT said 90 per cent of their students have been active on their online learning platforms where lectures will continue.
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In a separate audit, DUT’s Student Housing Department reported that all their student residences had WiFi signal but there were some with poor strength that needed to be upgraded.
“The university will inform all landlords of out-sourced residences that if students living in the outsourced residences experience WiFi challenges as a result of poor connectivity, those students will be given mobile data and the costs will be deducted from the landlord’s account,” said DUT in a statement.
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