Contested campuses, fractured futures
Student protests, operational disturbances, and their consequences for higher education institutions in South Africa: a systematic review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22167825 |
|---|---|
| Authors | B I Dlamini (Durban University of Technology), E Lawa (Durban University of Technology), H S Shange (Durban University of Technology) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2504-284X • E-ISSN: 2504-284X |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/feduc.2026.1872154 |
| OpenAlex | W7165808071 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 33 |
Scientific problem The period from 2016 to 2025 saw major operational disturbances in South African higher education-student protests (e.g., #FeesMustFall), NSFAS funding collapses, and the COVID-19 pandemic-yet no systematic synthesis of their consequences has been produced using only freely accessible research sources, limiting evidence-informed policymaking in resource-limited settings. Aim This systematic review compiles peer-reviewed evidence on the effects of campus operational disturbances on student academic performance, student psychological well-being, academic staff well-being, and institutional performance in South Africa.Method: Following PRISMA 2020, we searched six publicly accessible databases (PubMed/PMC, ERIC, Google Scholar, AJOL, SciELO South Africa, OpenAlex) for empirical studies published between January 2016 and December 2025. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria and were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results Campus disturbances produce significant and inequitable harm: 12.7% of medical students met PTSD screening criteria following #FMF2016 protests; COVID-19 dropout concentrated at historically disadvantaged institutions; achievement gaps widened along socioeconomic lines; and baseline staff psychological distress reached 49% even outside acute crises. Securitised institutional responses prolonged disruptions, while dialogue-oriented approaches mitigated harm. Conclusion Campus disturbances function as equity amplifiers. Institutional responsiveness-to protest grievances and pandemic needs-consistently moderates outcomes. NSFAS funding paradoxically protected retention during COVID-19, suggesting that financial aid reform could be a resilience strategy. Future research Longitudinal, pre-registered studies using administrative data linkage are urgently needed, along with expanded open-access mandates in African higher education research
Disadvantaged · Empirical research · Higher education · Limiting · Psychological resilience · Socioeconomic status · Systematic review · COVID-19 and Mental Health · E-Learning and COVID-19 · Higher Education Practises and Engagement
Organizational resilience
Higher Education and Public Good
The PRISMA 2020 statement
The Job Demands‐Resources model
Fees Must Fall
Transforming organizational culture in higher education
South African Higher Education Institutions at the Beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Prevalence, correlates of psychological distress and mental health challenges among college and university students during the Covid-19 lockdowns in South Africa
Participatory governance and the capacity to engage
Covid-19 experience and student wellbeing amongst publicly funded higher education students in South Africa after the first, and second waves
A Wake-Up Call
The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers
From bouncing back, to nurturing emergence
The mental health state of extended programme students at a South African university
FeesMustFall Protests in South Africa
Must Fall’ movements globally
FeesMustFall
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |