On this day, the 11th of March a year ago the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic.
There was panic and life as we knew had to change rapidly. One of the biggest changes we saw was how we learn. Universities that once charged high fees because of limited space, exclusivity and name recognition suddenly lost that privilege.
People could now learn from anywhere and the value of the degree was seen for what it is, a piece of paper.
What didn’t change in South Africa as the country opens up more and restrictions being lifted is University going back to their old ways of high prices and greed for money.
Students are getting financially excluded and charged high registration fees in an economy that’s already on knees.
There’s a huge gap that’s needs to be closed that will allow online learning and reasonable prices and one that doesn’t exclude students from disadvantaged backgrounds