Mukoni T Ratshitanga
Unique learning centres established in 1995 by Unisa attempted to offer distance-education students some of the advantages of classroom teaching. But three years later, enrolment at one of the primary centres in downtown Johannesburg is on the decline.
Students blame rising fees, fear of the city centre and the formal way their teachers relate to them.
The university this year increased its registration fees from R60 per course to R160. In addition to these and tuition fees, students who go to the learning centres for extra tutoring must pay an extra R160 per subject.
Johannesburg centre co-ordinator Nthokozisi Mthembu enrolled more than 2 000 students last year. But this week she said: “The financial aspect is making it difficult for students. But we hope that they will make it their responsibility to pay the fees. The numbers are not rising.”
This year, Mthembu’s enrolment has declined to about 1 800 – reflecting a 10% decline in a programme expected to be reaching an ever-increasing portion of Unisa students.
The decline is expected at other centres, but Unisa’s national learning centres programme director Thandi Ngengebule could not confirm final enrolment figures this week.
Last year, Unisa’s five major learning centres – in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pietersburg, Durban and Cape Town – together with several smaller satellite centres, collectively served about 12 000 students.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) blames the fee hike for the decline in figures, which it claimed this week was imposed without consultation. The SRC adds that the amount the university is charging is “more than any university increase in the country”.
The learning centres offer tutorial support programmes, library services, study and counselling services and reading rooms. Students are encouraged to form study groups.
Ngengebule says the study groups “help students to support each other. Instead of studying on their own in their own private place, students can now share information. The support of the tutors also helps a great deal.”
But SRC member Thabo Sanyane says the centre instructors fail to overcome some age-old problems of classroom learning: “There should be a good relationship between the learner and the tutor. At the moment there is some distance between us.”
But other students say the centre has helped them “make sense of studying”. Sipho Khumalo, a policeman, dropped his police science and law courses two years ago with Technikon SA because “we never did much there”.
Linda Mkhatshwa agrees: “There wasn’t much support and I felt I was wasting my time and money. Here the classes are much more interesting. The lecturer doesn’t wait for the official assignments to come from head office in Pretoria.”
The Johannesburg centre offers 20 tutorials per week and the number of courses may increase in the course of the year, says co-ordinator Nthokozisi Mthembu. Last year, the centre offered 30 tutorials per week and this increased to 45 by the end of the year, as exams approached.
The centre has six faculties – arts, science, theology, education, law and social sciences. But Mkhatshwa and Khumalo say the resources provided by the centre are still insufficient.
Mthembu says the centre’s location in the middle of town is also a problem because of growing perceptions that the inner city is dangerous. “We would like to turn this into a multi-racial centre. But the perception of the inner city as a haven for criminals must end,” she says.
Student Malekwa Pilane says the biggest challenge is mustering the self-discipline needed for success as a part-time distance-education student. “You have no formal timetable as such. You need self-discipline.”
But, she says, for dedicated students, the centre provides a venue, class instruction and greater interaction. “You are not just working; you are enriching yourself at the same time.”
ENDS