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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions for Criteria to return to Public University and Private Higher Education Institution Campuses as part of a Risk-adjusted strategy for a phased-in return from Level 3

4. Risk adjusted strategy for the return of students to campuses/delivery sites for teaching and learning

 

At all levels and at all times, screening, the use of masks, hand washing/sanitising and physical distancing is required of all staff and students.

 

Based on their risk adjusted plan for each Level, institutions will make arrangements for the students identified to return to campuses according to the criteria for the Level. Institutions will have two weeks from the date of the implementation of the Level to ensure that all preparation has been done in terms of the health and safety protocols and that campuses and residences are ready to receive students. This will also enable staff and students to make safe travel arrangements.

 

International students who returned to their home countries during the lockdown will only be permitted to return to campuses when Level 1 of the strategy is announced. These international students will be supported through remote learning support until they return. Tailored catch up plans will be implemented when they return.

 

Level 4

 

Limited and controlled return of students to campuses:

 

• Final year students in programmes requiring clinical training return to campuses, starting with medicine (MBChB) and phasing-in of all other programmes (List of programmes included is attached at Annexure A)

 

All other students are supported through remote multimodal teaching, learning and assessment until they can return to campus.

 

Level 3

 

A maximum of 33% of the student population return to each campus/delivery site6 for

teaching, learning and assessment, in line with the following criteria:

 

• All groups that have already returned during alert level 4.
• Students in the final year of their programmes, who are on a path to graduating in 2020 may return7.
• Students in all years of study that require clinical training in their programmes (provided that the campus and the clinical training platforms are prepared and have sufficient space to accommodate them within the corresponding risk level maximum carrying capacity and any while adhering to the safety protocols).
• Post Graduate students who require laboratory equipment and other technical equipment to undertake their studies return to campuses.

 

All other students are supported through remote multimodal teaching learning and assessment until they can return to campus.

 

It is recognised that some institutions may identify other groups of students in line with their particular context. However, any deviation from the criteria identified above must be approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and must fall within the maximum of 33% of the student population.

 

Small private higher education institutions with a student enrolment of less than 50 students, may apply to the Department for exemption from these criteria. Their applications must be accompanied by their institutional plans for the return of staff and students that comply with the regulations published by the Department of Employment and Labour, and the Higher Health Guidelines.

 

Level 2

 

A maximum of 66% of the student population return to campus8 for teaching, learning and assessment in line with the following criteria:

 

• All groups that have already returned or had been prioritised to return in Level 3, but couldn’t be accommodate due the maximum campus carrying capacity having been reached;
• Students in all years of study who require laboratory and technical equipment to complete the academic year;
• Students in all years of study who require practical placements/experiential learning/work place based learning to complete the academic year (provided the work places and platforms are open and prepared).
• First year students in all undergraduate programmes.

 

All other students are supported through remote multimodal teaching learning and assessment until they can return to campus.

 

It is recognised that some institutions may identify other groups of students in line with their particular context. However, any deviation from this criteria must be approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and must fall within the maximum of 66% of the student population.

 

Level 1

 

100% of the student population may return to campus.

Physical distancing and health protocols will still be required.

Social solidarity will be required.

International students who were residing outside of the country during the lockdown period may return (provided that international travel is permitted).

 

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6 This should be managed per campus in multi-campus/multi-site institutions.
7 It is recognised that during Level 3 blended learning, on-line and other modalities will still be in place due to the need for physical distancing, and therefore it may not be necessary for all final year students to return physically to campuses. Students who are able to work remotely, and only return to campuses when necessary to access the libraries and other facilities should be encouraged to do so. This should be managed at the institutional level and on the basis of controlled access to campuses in line with distancing protocols. The return of final year students to work integrated learning platforms will be limited by the opening up of these platforms in the economy during Level 3.
8 This should be managed per campus in multi-campus/multi-site institutions.