‘UWC not issuing us laptops and data’,
COMPLAINTS: University of the Western Cape COMPLAINTS: University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape has again come under fire for allegedly failing to supply students with the necessary tools for online learning such as laptops and data.
This is happening ahead of mid-year exams.
The students took to social media to voice their frustrations and the #UWCMustFall hashtag was one of the trending topics on Twitter on Wednesday.
the departments receive money from our tuition fees for field trips, lab experiments etc, & since we are not going to be doing these, where is the money going? #UWCMustFall #BladeNzimande why won't they use that money for data & device provision?
— Brandon Breazy (@BreazyBrandon) June 10, 2020
“Our only sin in this institution is to ask for academic inclusivity. Yes, we are poor but not stupid, we promote academic excellence and we are demanding answers regarding study materials. Where is the R23 million that was donated?” asked student Bongani Mbalekana.
Another student, who asked to remain anonymous, said the university does not care about them: “The online exams commence next week and I have no data, no laptop yet. I am expected to be ready for exams.
“They are aware of our backgrounds, some students do not see the updates from the university because they do not have access to the internet at home.”
UWC COMPLETELY forgot about the first year students. Varsity is rough at any year level, but imagine being a first year student and the whole system is in shambles. What a joke. #UWCMustFall https://t.co/TF5mqvKW7V
— Zizi_Dweba (@DwebaZizi) June 9, 2020
UWC came under fire last month for allegedly charging students R7000 for laptops despite raising over R20 million in donations for the implementation of online learning.
UWC said it was having problems with distribution.
“To date, 1216 students have been supplied with laptops. Deliveries of laptops are continuing,” UWC says.
“The University has given 10 853 students data (10GB daytime and 20GB night time per month) at no cost to the student. Unsuccessful data activations are being dealt with.”
UWC also said there have been logistical challenges delivering devices to
students who, in some cases, supplied incorrect delivery details to the service provider.
“This has been a challenge because each student has to take delivery of the laptop package personally.”
[THREAD] 1/12: In response to posts about laptops and data for vulnerable students, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) places the following on record:
To date, 1 216 students have been supplied with laptops (for their own accounts). Deliveries of laptops are continuing. pic.twitter.com/edVRuvBBjv
— #IamUWC (@UWConline) June 9, 2020