Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande recently acknowledged the impact loadshedding can have on institutions of higher learning. The department is currently investigating a way to respond to the challenges brought about by ongoing power cuts.
Loadshedding not only impacts students' ability to learn, it also impacts their ability to complete and submit tasks as they plan around power availability.
Nzimade revealed a joint working group between the Departments of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
The goal of the joint working group is to develop an inclusive plan to mitigate the impact of loadshedding that can be used by all institutions of higher learning.
Minister Nzimande said, “We have also established a joint working group between my Departments of Higher Education and Training and Science and Innovation to develop inclusive plans and a common approach in response to challenges brought by loadshedding.”
The working group is currently surveying institutions to understand the impact loadshedding is having on universities around the county. At least 18 universities have already responded to the survey, some of which have developed plans to mitigate the impact of power cuts.
Nzimande explained, “Amongst the 18 of our institutions which responded, 10 developed plans, 8 still developing plans and others are adjusting their academic programmes in line with the loadshedding schedule."
One of the measures currently being implemented to mitigate the impact of loadshedding is the implementation of hybrid teaching and learning methods. This may negatively impact some students who experience loadshedding where they reside.
