Measures to Enhance Student Learning and Well-Being during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Perspectives of Students from a Historically Disadvantaged University

Bibliographic Data

ID22045392
AuthorsMpsanyana Makgahlela (0000-0003-4973-5692, University of Limpopo, corresponding author), Tebogo Maria Mothiba (0000-0002-8577-9126, University of Limpopo), Jabu Mokwena (0000-0003-0834-0758, University of Limpopo), Peter M Mphekgwana (0000-0002-3068-9406, University of Limpopo)
Year2021
Volume11
Issue5
Pages212
Publication date2021-04-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci11050212
OpenAlexW3157878533
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited24

Since December 2019, the world population has been battling with the SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-2019) pandemic. The pandemic has continued to impact negatively on people’s livelihoods and also on student’s education. This qualitative study established from students in a previously disadvantaged university, their challenges and needs pursuant to the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown in South Africa. A total of 312 (male = 141; female = 171) registered students were conveniently sampled and completed an online survey questionnaire. Thematically analysed data revealed that student education and health have been impacted since the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. Participants went on to recommend several measures which, if implemented, could improve their well-being and access to education. Study findings imply that students from previously disadvantaged universities, who in their majority are from impoverished rural communities, have been struggling to access remote learning due to amongst others, the lack of information and communication technology (ICT) devices and network connectivity problems. It, therefore, requires rural-based universities to work together with the government and the private sector and join hands in addressing student challenges and needs during the on-going lockdown in the country. This would be one way of ensuring that in spite of students’ socioeconomic status, cultural location or background, their right to education is protected

Disadvantaged · Distance education · Economic growth · Environmental health · Higher education · Medical education · Pandemic · Pedagogy · Political science · Population · Public relations · Socioeconomic status · Sociology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Psychology

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