I remember the concept of "saving the academic year" during the #MustFall campaigns. It was used a lot by Vice Chancellors/Principals and various bodies that were constituted to do what they dubbed “mediation” - it was in fact an act of demobilization. These mediation “third parties” comprised retired judges, the clergy, politicians other “prominent” people. They were successful in convincing our parents and the nation that we were unreasonable and hooligans, to say the least. The movement was demobilized and comrades were turned against each other... The rest is history.
Fast forward to 2020, and we are faced with the Covid-19 crisis and the concept resurfaces, "we need to save the academic year"; wow! "We should move towards e-learning, virtual classes, etc. to save the academic year" - we are told. At whose expense? Is the question... "No one will be left behind, blah, blah," continues the rhetoric.
E-learning and Virtual studying is the future - granted! Certainly not now! The inequalities in our society are best demonstrated when one compares the readiness for e-learning at Wits, UP, UCT vs WSU, UniVen, UniZulu or perhaps the readiness of Hoërskool Waterkloof (in Pretoria) and Matailane High School (KwaDlawulale).
Just as our schools lack water for pupils to wash their hands regularly, I can imagine the infrastructure for e-learning.
What boggles one mind's is the obsession with the academic year along the Gregorian calendar. We have various years that don't necessarily follow Gregory’s concept, for example the football season, financial year, etc. Why not restructure the year to follow a different route instead of placing lives at stake by forcing down the throats of the poor working class this online concept?
#Restructure2020
#elearning4who?
#Online4who?
