As we approach Level 3 lock-down, most of us are still struggling to understand the details of what can and cannot be done and have questions about what constitutes the “new norm” – especially in the PSET (Post School Education and Training) sector. SDC (Skills Development Corporation) an accredited learning institution, acknowledge that all PSET sectors are to adopt post lockdown learning methodologies.
Last week Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande gave an update on issues pertaining to the PSET Sector, he noted that the “PSET Sector is committed to resume academic activities in line with the national risk-adjusted strategy. This includes putting remote learning systems in place as well as planning the gradual return to various campuses during various phases of the risk-adjusted strategy. The Ministry will publish national Directives on the broad parameters and conditions under which each institution must plan for the controlled resumption of all forms and levels of academic activity to complete the 2020 Academic Year.”
Much like any public place, strict sanitation processes have been implemented at SDC too like temperature screening, prepared isolation rooms for high-risk individuals, masks disseminated by SDC which are to be worn by all learners and staff at all times, plus increased sanitation processes like weekly campus sanitation and amplified restroom cleaning schedules.
The issue that has become more obvious and urgent as we await these next steps from government, is the concern around the level of computer literacy skills at school level and lack of connectivity in informal locations. “All Skills Development providers need to adopt new learning methodologies to be distance-learning friendly for a variety of socio-economic circumstances.” says Melissa Van Aswegen, Operations ETQA Manager at SDC. “The commencement of our learnerships will typically need to contain a digital literacy boot camp to ensure that the learners are capable of coping with alternative methodologies, however lessons learnt from lockdown is that the urgency with which computer literacy at schools needs to be addressed needs to become a priority. It is impossible to expect education institutions to become digital-learning ready, when the education system is prohibiting learners from using the facility due to inadequate computer literacy skills at school level.”
In addition to this, government and the entire education sector need to appeal to all FNO (Fibre Network Operators) and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to urgently address the inequality issues surrounding connectivity in the more informal areas. Some schools have become incredibly innovative by implementing ‘drive through’ internet where parents and learners are able to download their work using a central WiFi network located at the school. “It would be great to see FNOs and ISPs really embrace this opportunity more and help drive the objective of getting the entire country online,” says Melissa.
