SASCO calls on TUT to have contingency plans amid increased COVID-19 cases

The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has called on the Tshwane University of Technology management to put in place contingency measures to avert further disruptions of lessons as a result of skyrocketing COVID-19 cases.

The university has suspended all contact learning activities on campus and increased online lectures. Exams are also scheduled to take place online. This was after the Gauteng Health authorities declared the Tshwane region, especially the east and west student hubs, as COVID-19 hotspots.

“The contingency plans here are very simple.  The university must provide quarantine facilities off and on campus in the event where students are residing. Students are the ones who are feeling the consequences. Sanitizing and washing of hands have proven to be not helpful to us,” says SASCO’s deployee at TUT Keamogetswe Masike.

Meanwhile, TUT management has denied reports that it has completely shut down the institution’s three campuses in and around Tshwane.

“Firstly, let me make a correction – TUT has not shut down indefinitely. All contact student activities on our campuses have been suspended but online teaching and learning in various departments have continued where possible, and students are busy preparing for online end-of-year evaluations. While students continue with online teaching and learning, the university has intensified the following measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. The daily screenings at all campuses will continue. COVID-19 Task Team members regularly check to ensure that screening equipment is in working order,” says TUT Spokesperson Rosemary Tshisikhawe.