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Futile exercise: The writer argues that even if higher education were to digitalise their systems, it would still not help contain the influx of first year
students at the too few institutions, including 26 universities. Photo: Supplied

Digitisation not panacea for varsity space

Any talk about scaling up digitalisation of higher education as a solution to the large demand for access to the university must fiercely confront the structural challenges that…

Flocks grow but tithes decline

Online platforms attracted more people to services but Covid-19 regulations limiting physical attendance resulted in fewer contributions to collection plates

Turn off your Zoom video and help the planet

The pandemic has forced us indoors and using more data than ever before, putting more strain on the environment

Edinburgh University students protest against the false promise of “hybrid learning” to new and returning students on October 24, 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Global online learning survey finds high workloads led to suicidal ideation

Respondents to the survey on digital teaching reported a decline in mental health because of unforgiving workloads and expectations placed on them by managers.

Beyond the digital cold war: Technology and the future of US-African engagement under Biden

Several African governments have published plans to establish smart cities, including Cairo, Johannesburg, Kigali and Nairobi. They require the most advanced technologies available

The humble syllabus puts students first

By building online courses backwards, the necessary skills can be taught in stages

Aggrieved: DA eThekwini councillor Nicole Graham had her mic muted during a virtual sitting. The municipality blamed it on a software glitch

DA cries foul play over muted mic

But high court rules in favour of the eThekwini municipality, as judge decries ‘political point-scoring’

Filmmaker Tim Greene launched an online campaign that led to the making of Cabin Fever during the first weeks of lockdown earlier this year. (Ter Hollmann)

Cellphones, Covid-19 and zoom calls: The making of ‘Cabin Fever’

‘Cabin Fever’, written, directed and produced by Tim Greene, was filmed on cellphones during the hard lockdown earlier this year. It’s a no-budget triumph

On March 15, Kenya’s government shut down the country’s schools. 17 million learners were told to stay at home in an effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.(Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP)

Covid-19 deepens Kenya’s educational divide

Children are expected to keep learning at home during the coronavirus lockdown, but a lack of resources makes this a tricky prospect for some of them

It may be that the most important lesson this pandemic has to teach us is that we don’t control nearly as many things as we like to think we do.

Covid-19’s lesson: The stars bandy us about in which way pleases them

Science, education, technological advancement and wealth made us feel we are protected and have power over life, but we can’t control everything

(John McCann/M&G)

Eusebius McKaiser: A way to find meaning in a strange world

How we live has changed – we cannot avoid the threat of death brought by the coronavirus

A view of the targeted area for the Xolobeni Mineral Sands project on the Wild Coast.

Corporate bullying in fight over Xolobeni mining

Activists argue that the Australian company suing them is using the courts to silence criticism and so abusing the legal system. The law should change to stop these types of suits

Empty courts in Singapore means justice is being dealt with virtually.

Singapore slammed for ‘cruel’ Zoom death sentence

Zoom has become popular during virus lockdowns worldwide for everything from virtual school classes to business meetings — but Human Rights Watch criticised its use to mete out…

The teachers
of the Eastern Cape have emerged as unsung heroes, pushing the boundaries to secure an impressive 81.4% pass rate in the 2023 matric results.

To the teachers of South Africa: We salute you

Teachers are probably some of the most undervalued people in society and often criticised for being ineffective or being chastised for this, that and the other.

A man buried his father on Zoom due to the lockdown.

I buried my father on Zoom. Was I laying my culture to rest?

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented me from leaving London to be at my father’s funeral in Uganda and perform the rites. Instead, I attended it online

Not easy: Patrick Munkana has already lost up to 60% of his revenue, but is soldiering on

Covid-19’s impact on small biz

Small businesses are choosing to adapt and upgrade their offering in order to keep their heads above water until Covid-19 is contained